Actuary Salary in East Orange, NJ: $156,685 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in East Orange, NJ earns a median $156,685/year (≈ $75.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in East Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $136,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the actuary salary in East Orange, New Jersey, sees a promising median of $156,685, reflecting the robust demand for actuarial professionals in the region. This figure positions local actuaries significantly above the national median of $134,160, marking a 16.79% increase. Salary ranges are diverse, with entry-level positions starting at $95,030 and experienced roles potentially earning up to $242,863. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost dynamics, indicate a healthy job market for actuaries. Particularly of interest to prospective candidates is the choice between specializations offered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) in life, health, and pension insurance versus the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) in property and casualty insurance, as this affects earning potential.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,030 | $45.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,377 | $54.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,685 | $75.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,558 | $96.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $242,863 | $116.76 |
Median Salary Position
16.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Orange
In East Orange, NJ, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $147,833 (2026 est.). At $156,685, the local median is 16.79% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Orange Actuary Pay Compares
East Orange median: $156,685/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $154,522 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +16.79% more |
Actuarys in East Orange, NJ earn a median of $156,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $154,522.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $156,685 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,011 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,542
2025 BLS Actual
$151,827
2026 Current Est.
$156,685
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in East Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,542 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,672 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,681 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,129 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,148 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,827 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,685 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Orange metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $126,542 (2019) to $151,827 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,157 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Orange 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) | $95,030 – $113,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,377 – $156,685 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,685 – $200,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,558 – $242,863 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in East Orange
Analyzing East Orange’s job market further reveals that only nine actuaries are presently employed in the area, indicating a potentially competitive environment given the elevated salaries. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 115.2, actuaries must consider how this impacts their disposable income. Employers such as Prudential and MetLife typically offer some of the higher salaries in life insurance, while firms like UnitedHealth and Cigna lead in health-related actuary positions. The wide salary range is primarily driven by factors such as the level of exams passed, credentialing status (ASA to FSA transitions), and the specialty markets selected. Those aiming for higher pay should focus on obtaining credentials, as each passed exam can result in a pay increase between $3,000 and $8,000. Exploring consulting opportunities can also be beneficial, as firms like Mercer and Aon tend to offer more competitive pay structures for FSAs and FCAS holders, particularly in roles requiring predictive analytics or data science expertise.
More salary data for East Orange, NJ:
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 $151,827 for actuariesin the East Orange 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 East Orange 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