Actuary Pay

Jacksonville vs Tampa: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Jacksonville, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jacksonville, FL
$137,081
$65.90/hr
Tampa, FL
$109,898
$52.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJacksonville, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$137,081$109,898
Hourly Rate$65.90$52.84
Entry Level (P10)$83,933$68,308
25th Percentile$106,750$85,388
75th Percentile$167,153$166,637
Top Earner (P90)$210,260$179,042
Total Employed130350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jacksonville ($137,081) and Tampa ($109,898) actuary salaries.JacksonvilleTampaMedian Salary$137,081$109,898Entry Level (P10)$83,933$68,308Top Earner (P90)$210,260$179,042US Median $134,160

Verdict

Jacksonville, FL offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tampa.

The salary gap between Jacksonville and Tampa is $27,183 (24.73%). Jacksonville's median is +2.18% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jacksonville spans $126,327,Tampa spans $110,734. Jacksonville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$83,933
P25$106,750
Median$137,081
P75$167,153
P90 (Top)$210,260
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$68,308
P25$85,388
Median$109,898
P75$166,637
P90 (Top)$179,042

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jacksonville ($137,792 effective) pays 26.50% more than Tampa ($108,929 effective).

Jacksonville
Nominal: $137,081
CoL Index: 99.484
Adjusted: $137,792
Tampa
Nominal: $109,898
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $108,929

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jacksonville if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,081/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($210,260)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,792)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Jacksonville grew 13.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.0% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Jacksonville, FL

+13.3%

$117,220 (2019) → $132,830 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+-2.0%

$108,700 (2019) → $106,490 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Jacksonville or Tampa?

Jacksonville has a higher median actuary salary at $137,081/year, compared to Tampa at $109,898/year — a difference of $27,183 (24.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jacksonville and Tampa?

Jacksonville actuarys earn $65.90/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $52.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jacksonville to Tampa as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jacksonville and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jacksonville = $137,792, Tampa = $108,929), job availability (130 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Jacksonville vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $83,933 in Jacksonville and $68,308 in Tampa. The Jacksonville 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