Actuary Pay

Actuary Salary in Suffolk, VA: $136,131 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Suffolk, VA earns a median $136,131/year (≈ $65.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Suffolk's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $131,910 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Virginia state average.

$136,131
Median Annual Salary
$65.45/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$86,727
Entry Level (P10)
$211,004
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Actuary Salary in Suffolk, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Suffolk, VA actuary salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Suffolk, Virginia, actuaries can expect a robust median annual salary of $136,131 in 2026, reflecting a slight edge over the national average of $134,160. The local salary range for actuaries spans from $86,727 at the bottom 10th percentile to a top end of $211,004 for the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate a healthy job market for both life and health specialists and those focused on property and casualty. This occupational diversity can influence salary potential, as demand for actuarial expertise in specific fields varies considerably. Employers in life insurance, managed care, and consulting continue to create opportunities in Suffolk, contributing to a competitive market for actuaries.

About the Suffolk Market

Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$86,727$41.69
Lower Range (P25)$104,607$50.29
Median (P50)(typical)$136,131$65.45
Upper Range (P75)$174,248$83.78
Top Earners (P90)$211,004$101.45

Median Salary Position

$86,727$211,004
City Median: $136,131
National: $134,160
P10–P90 Range

1.47% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Suffolk

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for actuarys in Suffolk. The median salary is $136,131, compared to the national median of $134,160.$78.1K$113.9K$149.8K$185.7K$221.6K$86.7K10th Pctl$104.6K25th Pctl$136.1KMedian$174.2K75th Pctl$211.0K90th PctlUS Median$134.2K

In Suffolk, VA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,277 (2026 est.). At $136,131, the local median is 1.47% above the national median of $134,160.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of actuary pay in the Suffolk metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,618
per week
$11,345
per month
$136,135
per year

At 40 hours/week in Suffolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Suffolk Actuary Pay Compares

Suffolk median: $136,131/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySuffolk Pays
Virginia Average$138,485-1.70% less
National Average$134,160+1.47% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing actuary median salary in Suffolk ($136,131) with Virginia average ($138,485) and the US national median ($134,160).Suffolk$136,131Virginia Avg$138,485-1.70%US National$134,160+1.47%

Actuarys in Suffolk, VA earn a median of $136,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $138,485.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$136,131
Nominal Salary
103.2
CoL Index
$131,910
Adjusted Salary

Suffolk has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $136,131. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $131,910, a loss of $4,221.$112.1K$123.2K$134.3K$145.4K$156.6K$136,131NominalSalary$131,910CoL Adjusted(CoL: 103.2) -3.10%US Median $134.2K

Suffolk, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,131 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,910 — a 3.1% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$109,942

2025 BLS Actual

$131,910

2026 Current Est.

$136,131

2019–2027 Growth

+27.8%

Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Suffolk (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for actuaries in Suffolk. Baseline $109,942 in 2025, projected to $140,487 by 2027.$100.8K$112.4K$124.0K$135.5K$147.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$109.9K$112.7K$107.5K$115.7K$121.8K$129.9K$131.9K$136.1K$140.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$109,942Actual
2020$112,661Actual
2021$107,456Actual
2022$115,665Actual
2023$121,763Actual
2024$129,881Actual
2025$131,910Actual
2026(current)$136,131Estimated
2027$140,487Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Suffolk metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $109,942 (2019) to $131,910 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,545 (27.78%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Suffolk metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$86,727$104,607
3-5 years (Mid Career)$104,607$136,131
5+ years (Experienced)$136,131$174,248
10+ years (Top Earner)$174,248$211,004

ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Actuary Job Market in Suffolk

With a modest local workforce of 15 employed actuaries, the job market in Suffolk underscores the competitive dynamics of the profession. The cost of living index of 103.2 illustrates that while expenses are slightly higher than the national average, they remain manageable given the actuarial salary context. Consequently, for those seeking to maximize their pay in Suffolk, aligning with major employers such as Prudential, UnitedHealth, and consulting firms can offer significant advantages. Growth in salary often correlates with exam progression, where passing exams can yield compensation increases of $3,000 to $8,000. Additionally, securing fellowships through SOA or CAS can markedly impact salary prospects. Given the pivotal role that exam completion plays in the salary structure, focusing efforts on advancing through the ASA-to-FSA timeline or Deepening skills in predictive analytics may be essential for those looking to thrive in this evolving market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do actuaries make in Suffolk, VA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median actuary salary in Suffolk is $136,131/year ($65.45/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.20% annual growth). Salaries range from $86,727 at entry level (10th percentile) to $211,004 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Suffolk at 1.5% above the national median. Full-time actuaries typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Suffolk, VA a good place to work as a actuary?

Suffolk actuary salaries are 1.5% above the national average and 1.7% below the Virginia state average. The metro area employs approximately 15 actuaries. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can actuaries make $100K in Suffolk?

Yes — the median actuary salary in Suffolk is already $136,131, meaning more than half of actuaries here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $211,004/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Suffolk?

After adjusting for Suffolk's cost-of-living index of 103.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $136,131 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $131,910 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Suffolk reduce the effective value of your salary by 3.1% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a actuary make per hour in Suffolk?

Actuaries in Suffolk earn a median hourly rate of $65.45, which translates to approximately $136,131/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $41.69 for entry-level positions to $101.45 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem actuaries sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

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 $131,910 for actuariesin the Suffolk 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 Suffolk is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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