Actuary Salary in Bristol, VA: $133,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Bristol, VA earns a median $133,139/year (≈ $64.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $129,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuary salaries in Bristol, Virginia, are projected to reach a median of $133,139, slightly below the national average of $134,160. With a salary range from $85,667 at the 10th percentile to $206,366 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect the local market's conditions informed by 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. An interesting aspect for professionals considering their career path in Bristol is the discernible salary difference between consulting firms and insurance companies. Senior roles at firms like Milliman or Mercer tend to offer higher compensation compared to traditional insurer roles, which is critical for recent FSAs or those approaching the end of their credential journey.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,667 | $41.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,200 | $49.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,139 | $64.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,418 | $81.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,366 | $99.22 |
Median Salary Position
0.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,699 (2026 est.). At $133,139, the local median is 0.76% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Actuary Pay Compares
Bristol median: $133,139/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $138,398 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -0.76% less |
Actuarys in Bristol, VA earn a median of $133,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.80% below the Virginia state average of $138,398.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,139 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,011 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$107,526
2025 BLS Actual
$129,011
2026 Current Est.
$133,139
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,526 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,185 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,094 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,087 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,026 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,011 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,400 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $107,526 (2019) to $129,011 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,874 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $85,667 – $102,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,200 – $133,139 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,139 – $170,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,418 – $206,366 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Bristol
Working as an actuary in Bristol provides unique opportunities due to the compact job market with only six actuaries actively employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 103.2, indicating a somewhat elevated living expense compared to the national average, which can impact net income and purchasing power. Life insurance companies, such as Prudential and MetLife, generally provide competitive packages, while consulting firms typically reward higher-level credentials substantially better. Variations in actuary pay are influenced by factors such as exam progression, with each passed exam potentially adding $3,000 to $8,000 to a base salary. For those looking to maximize earnings in Bristol, obtaining credentials and specialization in property & casualty or reinsurance markets is paramount, as these sectors tend to offer the highest remuneration in this region.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Bristol, VA in 2026?
Is Bristol, VA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Bristol?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Bristol?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Bristol?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $129,011 for actuariesin the Bristol metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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