Actuary Salary in McLean, VA: $135,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in McLean, VA earns a median $135,541/year (≈ $65.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in McLean's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $131,338 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In McLean, Virginia, the projected median annual actuary salary for 2026 is $135,541, reflecting a slight premium over the national median of $134,160. This local figure represents a broad salary range, with entry-level positions starting around $81,296 and top earners bringing in up to $210,088 annually. Salaries in McLean are particularly influenced by the consulting versus insurance sector gradient, with firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW typically offering higher compensation packages compared to life and health insurance firms. The figures provided are estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, underscoring the robust job market in this affluent Washington D.C. suburb.
About the McLean Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,296 | $39.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,149 | $48.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,541 | $65.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,493 | $83.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,088 | $101.00 |
Median Salary Position
1.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McLean
In McLean, VA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,792 (2026 est.). At $135,541, the local median is 1.03% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McLean: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McLean Actuary Pay Compares
McLean median: $135,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McLean Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $138,448 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +1.03% more |
Actuarys in McLean, VA earn a median of $135,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.03% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 2.10% below the Virginia state average of $138,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McLean has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McLean, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,541 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,338 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,465
2025 BLS Actual
$131,338
2026 Current Est.
$135,541
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in McLean (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,465 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,163 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,235 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,317 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,878 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McLean metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $109,465 (2019) to $131,338 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,878 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,413 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McLean 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) | $81,296 – $100,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,149 – $135,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,541 – $173,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,493 – $210,088 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in McLean
The local job market shows a stable presence of actuaries, with 11 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living in McLean, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 103.2, slightly impacts purchasing power. Among local employers, consulting firms generally lead in compensation, followed closely by life insurance giants such as Prudential and MetLife. The notable salary spread arises from factors including exam progression—each milestone in the ASA to FSA journey can yield significant pay increases—credential levels, and market specialties. For aspiring actuaries seeking to maximize pay in McLean, pursuing predictive analytics skills and advanced credentials can provide an edge, offering pathways to higher remuneration in both consulting and specialized sectors.
More salary data for McLean, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $131,338 for actuariesin the McLean 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 McLean 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