Senior Actuary Salary in Honolulu, HI: $193,697 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Honolulu, HI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $193,697/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Honolulu's price premium (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $162,361 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A senior actuary in Honolulu, Hawaii, can expect a lucrative salary structure characterized by a significant variation in earning potential, especially at the upper tiers. The top earners in this market can achieve a remarkable annual compensation of $193,697, while the 75th percentile also commands a substantial $159,956. This substantial gap between the median annual salary of $124,966 and the peak figures illustrates the rewards for those who have honed their expertise over years of dedicated work and successful projects. Attaining such top-tier pay involves a blend of advanced technical skills, relevant credentials, such as Fellowship in the Society of Actuaries (FSA), and a strategic approach to specialization in areas like predictive analytics or enterprise risk management.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Honolulu earn between $159,956 and $193,697 per year (2026 est.). This $121,217 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Honolulu median of $124,966 sits 6.85% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Honolulu | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $124,966 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $159,956 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $193,697 | $221,983 |
In Honolulu, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Honolulu
Advanced Certifications in Hawaii
HI actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $124,966 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Honolulu employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Honolulu command premium compensation, often reaching the $159,956–$193,697 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Honolulu metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Honolulu with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Actuaries in Hawaii who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Actuary Career & Wage Growth Path in Honolulu
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedHonolulu ranks #1 of 9 Hawaii cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $193,697).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Honolulu ($193,697) is 3.93% above the Hawaii average P90 ($186,366).
2019 BLS Actual
$168,931
2025 BLS Actual
$187,691
2026 Current Est.
$193,697
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $168,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $171,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $180,466 | Actual |
| 2022 | $173,904 | Actual |
| 2023 | $182,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $232,179 | Actual |
| 2025 | $187,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $193,697 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $199,895 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Honolulu saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $168,931 in 2019 to $187,691 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.20% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $199,895 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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.
Maximizing Your Actuary Earnings in Honolulu
The path to maximizing senior actuary pay in HI varies based on industry sector and specialization. Those who delve into life and annuity, health, or property and casualty sectors often find elevated compensation opportunities compared to other areas. Employers such as Prudential or Cigna may offer different benefits than consulting firms like Mercer or Aon, where FSAs typically enjoy salary premiums. Continuous professional development through exam completion also plays a vital role in income progression; each passed exam can incrementally boost pay by $3,000 to $8,000. Additionally, advanced credentials beyond the ASA and FSA, such as specialized expertise in capital modeling or reinsurance pricing, are increasingly sought after. Competitive benefits packages and signing bonuses for credential completions contribute further to the overall compensation landscape, making advanced qualifications a critical investment for actuaries aiming for top-tier positions in Honolulu's market.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Honolulu in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Honolulu?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Honolulu?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Honolulu?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Honolulu?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $187,691 for actuaries in the Honolulu metro area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Honolulu 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