Actuary Salary in Decatur, AL: $118,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Decatur, AL earns a median $118,143/year (≈ $56.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $134,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the actuary salary landscape is notably influenced by the type of employer, particularly between consulting firms and insurance companies. For 2026, the median annual salary is projected at $118,143, significantly lower than the national median of $134,160, indicating a pay disparity that actuaries in Decatur must consider. Local estimates suggest a salary range spanning from $69,249 at the 10th percentile to $183,122 at the 90th percentile, which reflects the varying compensation levels associated with differing credential statuses and specialties within the actuarial field. This compensation structure reflects broader market trends as well as local economic conditions, shaping the career trajectories of the nine actuaries currently employed in Decatur.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,249 | $33.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,361 | $41.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,143 | $56.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,223 | $72.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,122 | $88.04 |
Median Salary Position
11.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,873 (2026 est.). At $118,143, the local median is 11.94% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Actuary Pay Compares
Decatur median: $118,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $117,908 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -11.94% less |
Actuarys in Decatur, AL earn a median of $118,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.94% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $117,908.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $118,143 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,406 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,415
2025 BLS Actual
$114,480
2026 Current Est.
$118,143
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,775 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,257 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,674 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,107 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $95,415 (2019) to $114,480 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,509 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,249 – $86,361 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,361 – $118,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,143 – $151,223 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,223 – $183,122 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Decatur
The cost of living in Decatur, with an index score of 87.9, suggests that the purchasing power for actuaries may be more favorable than in other regions with higher living costs. This affordability may make the lower average salaries more palatable, especially for junior actuaries or those progressing through exams who are looking to enhance their qualifications and pay scale. Major employers in the area include health insurance firms like UnitedHealth and Cigna, alongside property & casualty insurers such as State Farm and Allstate. The compensation range can be driven by different factors such as exam progression, where passing each exam can contribute an additional $3,000 to $8,000 to base pay, and the transition from Associate to Fellow status usually commands a significant pay increase. For actuaries in Decatur, targeting consulting roles at firms like Mercer or WTW could yield higher earnings, making strategic credential advancement essential for maximizing income potential.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $114,480 for actuariesin the Decatur metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Decatur 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