Actuary Salary in Virginia: $129,053 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $129,053/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $125,051 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($143,459), Newport News ($135,203), Hampton ($134,011).
In Virginia, actuary salaries are projected to average $129,054 in 2026, which is 3.8% lower than the national median of $134,160. The highest-paying city is Alexandria, where salaries reach $148,050, while Virginia Beach represents the lower end at $104,738, creating a salary gap of $43,312. This disparity is driven by various factors including the local cost of living, demand for actuaries, and the concentration of industries such as insurance and finance in different areas. Virginia has specific licensing requirements for actuaries, including necessary examinations and continuing education, which can influence salary potential. The state's demand for actuaries is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.20%, reflecting increasing needs for risk assessment in various sectors. The projected total employment for actuaries in Virginia stands at 685, with cities like Newport News, Hampton, and Centreville also offering competitive salaries—$139,529, $138,299, and $137,655 respectively. Overall, while Virginia's actuary salaries may lag slightly behind national averages, the job market shows promise with steady growth, driven by factors such as economic stability and a diverse job landscape.
Virginia Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $60,984 (lowest entry-level) to $229,477 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia actuaries earn 3.81% less than the national median ($-5,107/year difference).
Virginia Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Virginia range from $82,812 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $202,686 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $129,053. The Virginia median is $5,107 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $62.05/hr. Approximately 685 actuarys are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$137,720
2025 BLS Actual
$125,052
2026 Current Est.
$129,053
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,804 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,869 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,257 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,052 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,053 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,183 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew -9.2% from $137,720 (2019) to $125,052 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,183 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,537 (-3.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $104,738 |
| Chesapeake | $105,144 |
| Norfolk | $106,300 |
| Falls Church | $127,663 |
| Herndon | $129,694 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $148,050 | 103.2 | $143,459 |
| Richmond | $136,121 | 97.858 | $139,101 |
| Newport News | $139,529 | 103.2 | $135,203 |
| Hampton | $138,299 | 103.2 | $134,011 |
| Centreville | $137,655 | 103.2 | $133,387 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $82,812 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $129,053 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $202,686 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $148,050 |
| 2 | Newport News | $139,529 |
| 3 | Hampton | $138,299 |
| 4 | Centreville | $137,655 |
| 5 | Blacksburg | $137,313 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $137,270 |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $137,260 |
| 8 | Burke | $136,722 |
| 9 | Harrisonburg | $136,438 |
| 10 | Suffolk | $136,131 |
| 11 | Richmond | $136,121 |
| 12 | Tuckahoe | $135,744 |
| 13 | Ashburn | $135,550 |
| 14 | McLean | $135,541 |
| 15 | Reston | $135,396 |
| 16 | Danville | $135,368 |
| 17 | Fredericksburg | $134,788 |
| 18 | Dale City | $134,761 |
| 19 | Manassas | $134,616 |
| 20 | Salem | $134,240 |
| 21 | Leesburg | $134,048 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | $133,971 |
| 23 | Mechanicsville | $133,756 |
| 24 | Springfield | $133,284 |
| 25 | Bristol | $133,139 |
| 26 | Woodbridge | $133,101 |
| 27 | Sterling | $132,844 |
| 28 | Staunton | $132,747 |
| 29 | Charlottesville | $132,704 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $132,672 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $132,521 |
| 32 | Radford | $132,421 |
| 33 | Fairfax | $132,182 |
| 34 | Waynesboro | $131,536 |
| 35 | Annandale | $131,361 |
| 36 | Winchester | $131,167 |
| 37 | Williamsburg | $131,109 |
| 38 | Herndon | $129,694 |
| 39 | Falls Church | $127,663 |
| 40 | Norfolk | $106,300 |
| 41 | Chesapeake | $105,144 |
| 42 | Virginia Beach | $104,738 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Virginia?
How does Virginia actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Virginia?
How many actuaries are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for actuaries?
Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov