Actuary Salary in Louisiana: $109,792 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $109,792/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $121,586 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Baton Rouge ($110,852), New Orleans ($109,472), Lafayette ($109,008).
In 2026, the average median salary for actuaries in Louisiana is projected to be $109,791, which is significantly lower than the national median of $134,160, representing an 18.2% gap. The highest-paying city in the state is Baton Rouge, where actuaries can expect to earn $114,399, while those in Thibodaux earn the least at $100,859, resulting in a salary difference of $13,540. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, the concentration of insurance companies, and demand for actuaries in specific areas. Louisiana actuaries must adhere to state licensing requirements, which include passing qualifying exams and gaining relevant work experience. Scope of practice laws also influence job functions, but demand is expected to grow due to an increasing need for risk assessment in various sectors, particularly insurance and finance. The overall job market outlook is positive, with a projected growth rate of 3.20% for actuary positions based on recent data. Major metropolitan areas including New Orleans ($112,975), Lafayette ($112,496), Metairie ($111,097), and Shreveport ($110,309) are also presenting ample opportunities, reflecting the diverse landscape for actuary careers within the state.
Louisiana Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $62,627 (lowest entry-level) to $177,319 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana actuaries earn 18.16% less than the national median ($-24,368/year difference).
Louisiana Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Louisiana range from $66,929 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $170,159 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $109,792. The Louisiana median is $24,368 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $52.78/hr. Approximately 301 actuarys are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,670
2025 BLS Actual
$106,387
2026 Current Est.
$109,792
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,863 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,285 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,387 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,792 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $88,670 (2019) to $106,387 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,635 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Thibodaux | $100,859 |
| Sulphur | $101,345 |
| Zachary | $101,931 |
| Natchitoches | $102,417 |
| Hammond | $102,985 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $114,399 | 90.3 | $126,688 |
| New Orleans | $112,975 | 90.3 | $125,111 |
| Lafayette | $112,496 | 90.3 | $124,580 |
| Metairie | $111,097 | 90.3 | $123,031 |
| Shreveport | $110,309 | 90.3 | $122,158 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $66,929 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $109,792 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $170,159 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $114,399 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $112,975 |
| 3 | Lafayette | $112,496 |
| 4 | Metairie | $111,097 |
| 5 | Shreveport | $110,309 |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $108,177 |
| 7 | Kenner | $107,379 |
| 8 | Bossier City | $106,779 |
| 9 | Slidell | $106,477 |
| 10 | Houma | $106,042 |
| 11 | Monroe | $105,685 |
| 12 | Ruston | $105,392 |
| 13 | Central | $105,286 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $104,758 |
| 15 | New Iberia | $103,822 |
| 16 | Hammond | $102,985 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $102,417 |
| 18 | Zachary | $101,931 |
| 19 | Sulphur | $101,345 |
| 20 | Thibodaux | $100,859 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Louisiana?
How many actuaries are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for actuaries?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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