Senior Actuary Salary in Burlington, NC: $190,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Burlington, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $190,696/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $203,735 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
Salaries for experienced actuaries in Burlington, North Carolina reflect the significant potential for high earnings, particularly for those who successfully navigate their careers towards top-tier roles. In 2026, the median annual salary is expected to reach $123,030, but the top earners (P90) can expect to make as much as $190,696. This remarkable figure illustrates the gap between the average compensation and that of senior professionals, which often comes down to a combination of advanced credentials, specialized skill sets, and years of experience. Achieving this level of pay involves more than just time spent in the field; it also requires dedication to continued education and professional development, such as obtaining Fellow statuses (FSA or FCAS) and mastering high-demand areas like predictive analytics and enterprise risk management.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $157,478 and $190,696 per year (2026 est.). This $113,512 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $123,030 sits 8.3% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $123,030 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,478 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $190,696 | $221,983 |
In Burlington, 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 Burlington
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $123,030 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $157,478–$190,696 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Burlington 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 North Carolina 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 Burlington
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #29 of 43 North Carolina cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $190,696).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Burlington ($190,696) is 6.48% below the North Carolina average P90 ($203,911).
2019 BLS Actual
$166,313
2025 BLS Actual
$184,783
2026 Current Est.
$190,696
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $166,313 | Actual |
| 2020 | $168,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $177,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $171,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $179,809 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,677 | Actual |
| 2025 | $184,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $190,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $196,798 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $166,313 in 2019 to $184,783 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 $196,798 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
Looking deeper into the local job market, specialization plays a vital role in determining compensation levels for senior actuaries in Burlington. Experienced professionals in high-demand fields like life and annuity, health, or property and casualty insurance often command premium salaries, especially those working for large insurers or consulting firms. Employers such as Prudential, UnitedHealth, and State Farm offer distinctive pay structures where compensation can significantly vary. The pathway to leadership in this profession is clear: an actuarial analyst can progress to an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) and ultimately to a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS), with each step often correlating with substantial salary increases. Furthermore, advanced credentials not only boost pay but also provide access to lucrative consulting roles that differentiate themselves from traditional insurance pay scales. With the expected growth rate of 3.20% annualized over the next five years, the market remains promising for seasoned actuaries in Burlington, NC, driven by the increasing demand for their expertise in complex risk assessment and data analysis.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Burlington?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Burlington?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Burlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $184,783 for actuaries in the Burlington 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 Burlington 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