Actuary Pay

Huntsville vs Pelham: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Huntsville, AL and Pelham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$123,520
$59.38/hr
Pelham, AL
$109,056
$52.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALPelham, AL
Median Salary$123,520$109,056
Hourly Rate$59.38$52.43
Entry Level (P10)$71,641$72,175
25th Percentile$88,935$85,171
75th Percentile$158,105$139,064
Top Earner (P90)$191,457$168,773
Total Employed464
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($123,520) and Pelham ($109,056) actuary salaries.HuntsvillePelhamMedian Salary$123,520$109,056Entry Level (P10)$71,641$72,175Top Earner (P90)$191,457$168,773US Median $134,160

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pelham.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Pelham is $14,464 (13.26%). Huntsville's median is -7.93% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $119,816,Pelham spans $96,598. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$71,641
P25$88,935
Median$123,520
P75$158,105
P90 (Top)$191,457
Pelham
P10 (Entry)$72,175
P25$85,171
Median$109,056
P75$139,064
P90 (Top)$168,773

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($140,523 effective) pays 13.26% more than Pelham ($124,068 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $123,520
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $140,523
Pelham
Nominal: $109,056
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $124,068

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($123,520/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($191,457)
  • Larger job market (46 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,523)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Pelham if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Huntsville grew 20.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Pelham over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+20.4%

$99,434 (2024) → $119,690 (2025)

Pelham, AL

+20.4%

$87,790 (2024) → $105,674 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Huntsville or Pelham?

Huntsville has a higher median actuary salary at $123,520/year, compared to Pelham at $109,056/year — a difference of $14,464 (13.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Pelham?

Huntsville actuarys earn $59.38/hr while Pelham hygienists earn $52.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Pelham as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Pelham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $140,523, Pelham = $124,068), job availability (46 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Huntsville vs Pelham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $71,641 in Huntsville and $72,175 in Pelham. The Pelham area offers higher starting salaries.
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