Actuary Pay

Baltimore vs Gaithersburg: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Baltimore, MD and Gaithersburg, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$131,012
$62.99/hr
Gaithersburg, MD
$147,708
$71.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDGaithersburg, MD
Median Salary$131,012$147,708
Hourly Rate$62.99$71.01
Entry Level (P10)$79,123$88,034
25th Percentile$100,383$108,950
75th Percentile$164,263$189,067
Top Earner (P90)$191,147$228,947
Total Employed34014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($131,012) and Gaithersburg ($147,708) actuary salaries.BaltimoreGaithersburgMedian Salary$131,012$147,708Entry Level (P10)$79,123$88,034Top Earner (P90)$191,147$228,947US Median $134,160

Verdict

Gaithersburg, MD offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Gaithersburg is $16,696 (12.74%). Gaithersburg's median is +10.10% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $112,024,Gaithersburg spans $140,913. Gaithersburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$79,123
P25$100,383
Median$131,012
P75$164,263
P90 (Top)$191,147
Gaithersburg
P10 (Entry)$88,034
P25$108,950
Median$147,708
P75$189,067
P90 (Top)$228,947

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gaithersburg ($135,140 effective) pays 7.78% more than Baltimore ($125,386 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $131,012
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $125,386
Gaithersburg
Nominal: $147,708
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $135,140

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Gaithersburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($147,708/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($228,947)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,140)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Baltimore grew 15.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.0% growth in Gaithersburg over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+15.5%

$109,910 (2019) → $126,950 (2025)

Gaithersburg, MD

+0.0%

$143,128 (2024) → $143,128 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Baltimore or Gaithersburg?

Gaithersburg has a higher median actuary salary at $147,708/year, compared to Baltimore at $131,012/year — a difference of $16,696 (12.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Gaithersburg?

Baltimore actuarys earn $62.99/hr while Gaithersburg hygienists earn $71.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Gaithersburg as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Gaithersburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $125,386, Gaithersburg = $135,140), job availability (340 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Baltimore vs Gaithersburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $79,123 in Baltimore and $88,034 in Gaithersburg. The Gaithersburg area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov