Actuary Salary in West Virginia: $91,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $91,544/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $105,831 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Charleston ($91,275), Huntington ($90,131), Parkersburg ($89,872).
In 2026, the average median salary for actuaries in West Virginia is projected to be $91,545, which is significantly lower than the national median of $134,160, reflecting a gap of 31.8%. The highest-paying city in the state is Charleston, with an expected salary of $94,196, while Clarksburg offers the lowest at $88,728, representing a salary difference of $5,468. This disparity is often driven by factors such as the local cost of living, demand for actuaries, and the concentration of industries like insurance and finance. West Virginia actuaries must adhere to state licensing requirements, which involve passing exams and meeting continuing education obligations. The scope of practice laws may differ from other states, impacting job roles and responsibilities. As for demand, the profession is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.20%, suggesting a steady need for skilled actuaries in the state. Overall, with a total employment of 62 actuaries across the state’s 11 metropolitan areas, opportunities exist, particularly in cities like Huntington ($93,015), Parkersburg ($92,748), South Charleston ($91,643), and Morgantown ($91,590), indicating a stable job market for aspiring actuaries in West Virginia.
West Virginia Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $54,832 (lowest entry-level) to $146,003 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia actuaries earn 31.77% less than the national median ($-42,616/year difference).
West Virginia Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in West Virginia range from $57,883 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $141,514 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $91,544. The West Virginia median is $42,616 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $44.01/hr. Approximately 62 actuarys are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,933
2025 BLS Actual
$88,706
2026 Current Est.
$91,544
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,933 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,761 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,261 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,781 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,882 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,634 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,474 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $73,933 (2019) to $88,706 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,474 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,541 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West 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 West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clarksburg | $88,728 |
| Fairmont | $89,023 |
| Beckley | $89,125 |
| Martinsburg | $90,369 |
| Weirton | $90,657 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $94,196 | 86.5 | $108,897 |
| Huntington | $93,015 | 86.5 | $107,532 |
| Parkersburg | $92,748 | 86.5 | $107,223 |
| South Charleston | $91,643 | 86.5 | $105,946 |
| Morgantown | $91,590 | 86.5 | $105,884 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,883 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $91,544 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $141,514 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $94,196 |
| 2 | Huntington | $93,015 |
| 3 | Parkersburg | $92,748 |
| 4 | South Charleston | $91,643 |
| 5 | Morgantown | $91,590 |
| 6 | Wheeling | $91,130 |
| 7 | Weirton | $90,657 |
| 8 | Martinsburg | $90,369 |
| 9 | Beckley | $89,125 |
| 10 | Fairmont | $89,023 |
| 11 | Clarksburg | $88,728 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore actuary hourly pay in West Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in West Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in West Virginia?
How does West Virginia actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in West Virginia?
How many actuaries are employed in West Virginia?
Which West 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 West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 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, 2-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