Actuary Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $153,344 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $153,344/year (≈ $73.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $133,111 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, NJ, actuaries can expect a median annual salary of $153,344 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $134,160. With a salary range from $93,180 at the lower tenth percentile to as much as $237,683 at the ninetieth percentile, the compensation landscape for actuaries reflects both the local demand and the specialization choices many professionals face, particularly between those affiliated with the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, indicating a robust job market in Lakewood for actuaries who are well-prepared and credentialed.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,180 | $44.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,705 | $55.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,344 | $73.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,280 | $94.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,683 | $114.27 |
Median Salary Position
14.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,503 (2026 est.). At $153,344, the local median is 14.3% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Actuary Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $153,344/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $154,580 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +14.30% more |
Actuarys in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $153,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $154,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,344 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,111 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,843
2025 BLS Actual
$148,589
2026 Current Est.
$153,344
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,843 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,906 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,159 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,344 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $123,843 (2019) to $148,589 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,408 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $93,180 – $114,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,705 – $153,344 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,344 – $196,280 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,280 – $237,683 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Lakewood
In terms of the local job market, there are currently 31 actuaries employed in the Lakewood area, which suggests a tightly-knit community of professionals. The cost of living index at 115.2 indicates that while salaries are competitive, they must be weighed against higher living costs compared to the national average. Life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife tend to offer some of the highest salaries, alongside health insurers like UnitedHealth. The spread between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors, including exam progression—each passed exam can lead to substantial raises—and credential levels, with SOA fellows typically earning more. To maximize income potential in Lakewood, aspiring actuaries should focus on obtaining their Fellowship status, gaining experience in high-paying sectors like property and casualty insurance, and developing skills in predictive analytics, which are increasingly sought after in this evolving market.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $148,589 for actuariesin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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