Actuary Salary in Boone, NC: $119,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Boone, NC earns a median $119,858/year (≈ $57.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Boone's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $128,053 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those pursuing an actuary career in Boone, North Carolina, the 2026 median annual salary stands at $119,858. This figure is a slight decline compared to the national average of $134,160, presenting an approximate 10.66% difference. Actuaries in Boone can expect a salary range from $75,440 at the 10th percentile to $181,327 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the broad spectrum of compensation based on experience and qualifications. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect local salary conditions and regional price adjustments, which are significant in understanding the economic context. With only six actuaries employed in this area, prospects in Boone's job market are limited, requiring professionals to stay competitive and committed to their exam progression.
About the Boone Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,440 | $36.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,877 | $43.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,858 | $57.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,173 | $72.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,327 | $87.17 |
Median Salary Position
10.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boone
In Boone, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,887 (2026 est.). At $119,858, the local median is 10.66% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boone: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boone Actuary Pay Compares
Boone median: $119,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boone Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,637 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -10.66% less |
Actuarys in Boone, NC earn a median of $119,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.66% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.60% below the North Carolina state average of $125,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boone has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boone, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $119,858 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,053 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,799
2025 BLS Actual
$116,141
2026 Current Est.
$119,858
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Boone (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,193 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,838 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,207 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,674 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,141 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boone metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $96,799 (2019) to $116,141 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,894 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boone 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) | $75,440 – $90,877 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,877 – $119,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,858 – $150,173 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,173 – $181,327 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Boone
In Boone, the purchasing power of an actuary salary is influenced by the area's cost of living index, which stands at 93.6—below the national average of 100. This lower cost of living may offer some advantages when evaluating overall compensation. Those who aim to maximize their earning potential within the market should focus on firms with higher pay scales, such as those in health insurance, reinsurance, and consulting, where strong demand exists for actuaries with advanced credentials like the FSA or FCAS. The disparity in actuary pay within Boone is often driven by factors including progression through exams, which can add about $3,000-$8,000 to base salaries, as well as specialization; property & casualty and consulting fields tend to command higher salaries compared to life or health sectors. Engaging in continual education, earning additional credentials, and actively seeking roles within the highest-paying employers can bolster one's financial standing in this specific regional market.
More salary data for Boone, NC:
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 $116,141 for actuariesin the Boone 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 Boone 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