Senior Actuary Salary in Carrboro, NC: $180,586 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Carrboro, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $180,586/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Carrboro's price premium (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $192,934 in average-cost America. The 53% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carrboro, North Carolina, the outlook for experienced actuaries is promising, especially for those in senior roles. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $118,356, but top earners can achieve impressive figures, such as the 90th percentile compensation of $180,586. This represents a substantial gap between the median figure and those at the highest tiers of pay, showcasing the experience premium for seasoned professionals. To reach these top salaries, many actuaries focus on specialized fields and leverage advanced credentials and significant exam accomplishments, demonstrating the necessary expertise that employers in this market value highly. Additionally, Carrboro's competitive salary for seasoned actuaries remains slightly lower than the national median of $134,160, suggesting room for growth as demand for high-level actuarial services expands.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Carrboro earn between $148,974 and $180,586 per year (2026 est.). This $109,041 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Carrboro median of $118,356 sits 11.78% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Carrboro | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $118,356 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,974 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $180,586 | $221,983 |
In Carrboro, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 52.58% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Carrboro
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $118,356 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Carrboro employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Carrboro command premium compensation, often reaching the $148,974–$180,586 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Carrboro metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Carrboro 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 Carrboro
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCarrboro ranks #42 of 43 North Carolina cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $180,586).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Carrboro ($180,586) is 11.44% below the North Carolina average P90 ($203,911).
2019 BLS Actual
$157,496
2025 BLS Actual
$174,986
2026 Current Est.
$180,586
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $157,496 | Actual |
| 2020 | $159,456 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $162,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $170,276 | Actual |
| 2024 | $166,879 | Actual |
| 2025 | $174,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $180,586 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,364 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Carrboro saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $157,496 in 2019 to $174,986 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 $186,364 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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 Carrboro
Senior actuaries are particularly well-compensated when they specialize in areas such as enterprise risk management, predictive analytics, or life and annuity products. Compensation varies significantly among different employer types; for example, life insurance firms like Prudential or MetLife may offer different salary structures compared to health insurance companies like UnitedHealth or Cigna. Consultants in prominent firms generally attract higher salaries, especially those with Fellow (FSA/FCAS) designations. Career advancement paths typically take actuaries from entry-level roles through ASA and onto FSA or FCAS status, with each progression step often correlating with salary increases. Take the ASA-to-FSA timeline, which generally ranges from five to eight years, where actuaries enhance their earning potential by passing additional exams, augmenting their educational background in math, statistics, or actuarial science. Enhanced compensation may also stem from benefits related to exam completions and specialty areas, reaffirming the notion that strategic positioning within the industry is key to maximizing senior actuary pay in North Carolina.
More salary data for Carrboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Carrboro in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Carrboro?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Carrboro?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Carrboro?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Carrboro?
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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 $174,986 for actuaries in the Carrboro 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 Carrboro 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