Actuary Pay

Charlotte vs Kernersville: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Charlotte, NC and Kernersville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$132,849
$63.87/hr
Kernersville, NC
$124,423
$59.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCKernersville, NC
Median Salary$132,849$124,423
Hourly Rate$63.87$59.81
Entry Level (P10)$75,212$77,271
25th Percentile$102,416$93,790
75th Percentile$164,429$159,261
Top Earner (P90)$219,455$192,856
Total Employed2806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($132,849) and Kernersville ($124,423) actuary salaries.CharlotteKernersvilleMedian Salary$132,849$124,423Entry Level (P10)$75,212$77,271Top Earner (P90)$219,455$192,856US Median $134,160

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kernersville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Kernersville is $8,426 (6.77%). Charlotte's median is -0.98% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $144,243,Kernersville spans $115,585. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$75,212
P25$102,416
Median$132,849
P75$164,429
P90 (Top)$219,455
Kernersville
P10 (Entry)$77,271
P25$93,790
Median$124,423
P75$159,261
P90 (Top)$192,856

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($136,468 effective) pays 2.66% more than Kernersville ($132,931 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $132,849
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $136,468
Kernersville
Nominal: $124,423
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $132,931

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,849/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,455)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,468)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Kernersville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Charlotte grew -12.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Kernersville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+-12.9%

$147,800 (2019) → $128,730 (2025)

Kernersville, NC

+4.0%

$115,928 (2024) → $120,565 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Charlotte or Kernersville?

Charlotte has a higher median actuary salary at $132,849/year, compared to Kernersville at $124,423/year — a difference of $8,426 (6.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Kernersville?

Charlotte actuarys earn $63.87/hr while Kernersville hygienists earn $59.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Kernersville as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Kernersville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $136,468, Kernersville = $132,931), job availability (280 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Charlotte vs Kernersville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $75,212 in Charlotte and $77,271 in Kernersville. The Kernersville 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