Actuary Salary in Hickory, NC: $122,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Hickory, NC earns a median $122,835/year (≈ $59.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $131,234 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Earning an actuary salary in Hickory, NC, can be financially rewarding, with the projected 2026 median annual salary at $122,835, which is approximately 8.44% lower than the national median of $134,160. Local estimates indicate that actuaries in this region can expect a salary range from $73,642 at the 10th percentile to $190,394 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, suggest that there is a healthy financial incentive for pursuing a career in this field, particularly for those who continue their exam progression and achieve higher credentials. Hickory, with its relatively modest cost of living, presents opportunities for actuaries to maximize their earning potential while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.
About the Hickory Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,642 | $35.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,642 | $43.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,835 | $59.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,228 | $75.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,394 | $91.54 |
Median Salary Position
8.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,752 (2026 est.). At $122,835, the local median is 8.44% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Actuary Pay Compares
Hickory median: $122,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,598 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -8.44% less |
Actuarys in Hickory, NC earn a median of $122,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.44% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.20% below the North Carolina state average of $125,598.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory 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.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $122,835 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,234 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,204
2025 BLS Actual
$119,026
2026 Current Est.
$122,835
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,204 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,657 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,367 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,448 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,026 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,766 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $99,204 (2019) to $119,026 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,766 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,562 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $73,642 – $90,642 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,642 – $122,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,835 – $157,228 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,228 – $190,394 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Hickory
Analyzing the job market reveals that there are currently six actuaries employed in Hickory, which indicates a competitive but relatively small local market. The area has a cost-of-living index of 93.6, slightly below the national average, allowing for potentially greater purchasing power relative to income, especially for those earning above the median salary. Among local employers, life insurance companies such as Prudential and UnitedHealth, as well as consulting firms like Mercer and Aon, tend to offer the highest salaries. The variation in pay among actuaries can often be attributed to exam completion—each passed exam typically increases base salary by $3,000 to $8,000—and the level of professional credentials. To maximize compensation in Hickory, actuaries should focus on pursuing further exams, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and considering opportunities with firms that offer study time benefit packages and signing bonuses for credential completion.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 $119,026 for actuariesin the Hickory 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 Hickory 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