Actuary Pay

Actuary Salary in Lowell, MA: $145,966 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Lowell, MA earns a median $145,966/year (≈ $70.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Lowell's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $134,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.

$145,966
Median Annual Salary
$70.18/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$91,097
Entry Level (P10)
$226,247
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Actuary Salary in Lowell, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lowell, MA actuary salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, actuaries in Lowell, Massachusetts can expect a median annual salary of $145,966, surpassing the national median of $134,160 by a notable margin. The salary range is wide, reaching from $91,097 at the 10th percentile to $226,247 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting local economic conditions and price adjustments in the region. This competitive salary indicates a healthy demand for actuarial expertise in Lowell, where firms are likely seeking professionals who have advanced through the examination process and attained significant credentials, thereby adding value to their organizations.

About the Lowell Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$91,097$43.80
Lower Range (P25)$111,003$53.36
Median (P50)(typical)$145,966$70.18
Upper Range (P75)$186,836$89.83
Top Earners (P90)$226,247$108.77

Median Salary Position

$91,097$226,247
City Median: $145,966
National: $134,160
P10–P90 Range

8.80% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lowell

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for actuarys in Lowell. The median salary is $145,966, compared to the national median of $134,160.$82.0K$120.9K$159.8K$198.7K$237.6K$91.1K10th Pctl$111.0K25th Pctl$146.0KMedian$186.8K75th Pctl$226.2K90th PctlUS Median$134.2K

In Lowell, MA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,150 (2026 est.). At $145,966, the local median is 8.8% above the national median of $134,160.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of actuary pay in the Lowell metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,807
per week
$12,164
per month
$145,966
per year

At 40 hours/week in Lowell: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Lowell Actuary Pay Compares

Lowell median: $145,966/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLowell Pays
Massachusetts Average$145,529+0.30% more
National Average$134,160+8.80% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing actuary median salary in Lowell ($145,966) with Massachusetts average ($145,529) and the US national median ($134,160).Lowell$145,966Massachusetts Avg$145,529+0.30%US National$134,160+8.80%

Actuarys in Lowell, MA earn a median of $145,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $145,529.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$145,966
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$134,531
Adjusted Salary

Lowell has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $145,966. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $134,531, a loss of $11,435.$114.0K$127.5K$140.9K$154.4K$167.9K$145,966NominalSalary$134,531CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $134.2K

Lowell, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $145,966 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,531 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$117,885

2025 BLS Actual

$141,440

2026 Current Est.

$145,966

2019–2027 Growth

+27.8%

Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lowell (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for actuaries in Lowell. Baseline $117,885 in 2025, projected to $150,637 by 2027.$107.4K$121.1K$134.9K$148.6K$162.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$117.9K$120.8K$115.2K$124.0K$130.6K$154.5K$141.4K$146.0K$150.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$117,885Actual
2020$120,801Actual
2021$115,219Actual
2022$124,021Actual
2023$130,560Actual
2024$154,497Actual
2025$141,440Actual
2026(current)$145,966Estimated
2027$150,637Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lowell metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $117,885 (2019) to $141,440 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,752 (27.78%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lowell metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$91,097$111,003
3-5 years (Mid Career)$111,003$145,966
5+ years (Experienced)$145,966$186,836
10+ years (Top Earner)$186,836$226,247

ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Actuary Job Market in Lowell

Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are 29 actuaries currently employed in Lowell, highlighting a concentrated yet competitive environment. The cost of living index stands at 108.5, which, while above the national average, may affect take-home purchasing power in a city with higher living expenses. Key employers across various sectors, including Prudential and UnitedHealth, are known for their competitive compensation packages, further influenced by factors like exam progression and the level of credentials held, such as ASA or FSA. To maximize their earning potential, actuaries in Lowell should focus on passing exams promptly, gaining experience in sectors like property and casualty Insurance or consulting, and enhancing skills in areas like predictive analytics, which are increasingly valuable in today’s market. This strategic approach can help improve their position and pay within this vibrant market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do actuaries make in Lowell, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median actuary salary in Lowell is $145,966/year ($70.18/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.20% annual growth). Salaries range from $91,097 at entry level (10th percentile) to $226,247 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Lowell at 8.8% above the national median. Full-time actuaries typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Lowell, MA a good place to work as a actuary?

Lowell actuary salaries are 8.8% above the national average and 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 29 actuaries. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can actuaries make $100K in Lowell?

Yes — the median actuary salary in Lowell is already $145,966, meaning more than half of actuaries here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $226,247/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Lowell?

After adjusting for Lowell's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $145,966 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $134,531 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Lowell reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a actuary make per hour in Lowell?

Actuaries in Lowell earn a median hourly rate of $70.18, which translates to approximately $145,966/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $43.80 for entry-level positions to $108.77 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem actuaries sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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

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 $141,440 for actuariesin the Lowell 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 Lowell is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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