Senior Actuary Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $187,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Myrtle Beach, SC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $187,171/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Myrtle Beach's price premium (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $204,558 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 competitive senior actuary pay in SC, particularly in Myrtle Beach, positions its top earners favorably within the actuarial profession. The potential for experienced professionals in this market shines through the projected 2026 salary range, where P90 earners can command up to $187,171 annually. This represents a significant salary gap when comparing the median annual salary of $120,755 for the area, indicating the value placed on seasoned actuaries who possess extensive experience and often specialized skills. Achieving such top-tier salary levels in Myrtle Beach typically requires not only years of experience—generally seven or more—but also advanced professional credentials like FSA or FCAS, knowledge of predictive analytics, and expertise in high-demand areas such as life and annuity insurance or reinsurance pricing.
About the Myrtle Beach Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Myrtle Beach earn between $153,521 and $187,171 per year (2026 est.). This $107,446 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Myrtle Beach median of $120,755 sits 9.99% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Myrtle Beach | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $120,755 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $153,521 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $187,171 | $221,983 |
In Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach
Advanced Certifications in South Carolina
SC actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $120,755 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Myrtle Beach employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Myrtle Beach command premium compensation, often reaching the $153,521–$187,171 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Myrtle Beach metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Myrtle Beach 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 South 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 Myrtle Beach
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMyrtle Beach ranks #13 of 26 South Carolina cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $187,171).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Myrtle Beach ($187,171) is 6.95% below the South Carolina average P90 ($201,156).
2019 BLS Actual
$163,239
2025 BLS Actual
$181,367
2026 Current Est.
$187,171
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $163,239 | Actual |
| 2020 | $165,271 | Actual |
| 2021 | $174,386 | Actual |
| 2022 | $168,045 | Actual |
| 2023 | $176,485 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,277 | Actual |
| 2025 | $181,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $187,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $193,160 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Myrtle Beach saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $163,239 in 2019 to $181,367 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 $193,160 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
Across various sectors, senior actuaries in Myrtle Beach experience varying compensation structures influenced by the type of employer. Life insurance companies, such as Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurers like UnitedHealth and Cigna, tend to offer substantial salaries due to the complexities involved in managing risk within these markets. The property and casualty space, including firms like State Farm and Progressive, also fosters attractive pay scales, especially for those working in specialty areas like enterprise risk management and capital modeling. Moreover, actuarial certifications play a decisive role in advancing one's career, with the ASA-to-FSA progression serving as a critical path for salary increases. Non-salary benefits, such as bonuses tied to exam completions and study time off, further incentivize credentialing and specialized roles. The competitive environment in Myrtle Beach emphasizes that seasoned actuaries equipped with powerful analytical skills and prestigious credentials can expect robust compensation reflective of their invaluable expertise.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Myrtle Beach in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Myrtle Beach?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Myrtle Beach?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Myrtle Beach?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Myrtle Beach?
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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 $181,367 for actuaries in the Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach 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