Actuary Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $60.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $60.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,357 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,215 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $60.27, which is notably lower than the national median of $64.50. This rate facilitates flexible work options for professionals, including those engaging in part-time roles or per-diem assignments within various environments like insurance companies and consulting firms. For actuaries working three days a week (approximately 24 hours), this hourly figure can translate to a steady income while allowing for a work-life balance. The hourly rates for entry-level actuarial positions begin at around $35.04, while top earners can command up to $93.42 per hour, providing a varied landscape for compensation contingent upon experience and specialization. This data is based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.04 | $280.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.80 | $350.38 |
| Median (P50) | $60.27 | $482.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.14 | $617.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.42 | $747.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $60.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.27/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $125,359 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,323. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,410.75 | $10,447 | $125,359 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,446.45 | $6,268 | $75,215 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $964.30 | $4,179 | $50,144 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Chapel Hill) | $60.27 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $125,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $125,608.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.27/hr = $75,215/year (purchasing power: $80,358).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,359/year (purchasing power: $133,931).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Chapel Hill grew 20.0% from $48.67/hr (2019) to $58.40/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.20/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Chapel Hill
Analyzing part-time earning potential, if an actuary in Chapel Hill works a typical three-day-a-week schedule, they could take home significant income without compromising their time, translating to around $75,000 annually. In contrast, per-diem or freelance actuarial work remains less common at entry levels, but it can be quite lucrative for higher qualifications; consultants with credentials such as FSA or FCAS can charge rates between $250 and $500 per hour. Furthermore, experts providing testimony in litigation scenarios command rates up to $800 per hour. Compensation varies by employer type, with life and health insurers typically offering hourly salaries different from those found in consulting roles. A trade-off often exists for actuaries choosing between better hourly pay without benefits versus slightly lower pay that includes health coverage. Negotiation in this area requires a clear understanding of the local market, with Chapel Hill’s rates influenced heavily by prevailing employer types and overall demand in the actuarial field.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Chapel Hill. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill 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