Actuary Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $127,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $127,783/year (≈ $61.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $136,520 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fayetteville, NC, the 2026 median actuary salary is projected to be $127,783, which is slightly below the national median of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries here spans from $76,520 at the 10th percentile to $198,065 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a varied local market influenced by specific industry demands. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price levels, indicate that actuaries with skills tailored toward life, health, and pension (SOA specialization) may find differing opportunities compared to those focused on property and casualty (CAS specialization). Such differences highlight the importance of specialty alignment in career trajectory within Fayetteville's job market.
About the Fayetteville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,047 | $45.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,783 | $61.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,563 | $78.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,065 | $95.22 |
Median Salary Position
4.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,545 (2026 est.). At $127,783, the local median is 4.75% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Actuary Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $127,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,524 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -4.75% less |
Actuarys in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $127,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.75% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.80% above the North Carolina state average of $125,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville 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.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $127,783 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,520 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,200
2025 BLS Actual
$123,821
2026 Current Est.
$127,783
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,866 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,059 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,872 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $103,200 (2019) to $123,821 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,872 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,672 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $76,520 – $95,047 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,047 – $127,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,783 – $163,563 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,563 – $198,065 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Fayetteville
With only 37 actuaries currently employed in Fayetteville, the local job market presents a compact yet potentially competitive environment. The area’s cost of living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that buying power is enhanced relative to many other regions, which can positively impact take-home earnings. Major employers include well-known life and health insurance firms such as Prudential and UnitedHealth, with higher compensation often available for those specializing in consulting roles at firms like Mercer or Aon. The disparities in pay can be attributed to factors such as exam progression, where each passed exam can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to a salary, as well as the level of credentials achieved (ASA versus FSA). To maximize actuary pay in Fayetteville, focusing on advancing exam status, pursuing relevant credentials, and developing predictive analytics skills can substantially enhance earnings in this market.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $123,821 for actuariesin the Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville 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