Actuary Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $123,806 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $123,806/year (≈ $59.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $132,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, actuaries can expect a median annual salary of $123,806 in 2026. This figure reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Salaries range broadly from $79,414 on the lower end (P10) to $191,899 at the higher end (P90), indicating a dynamic job market for this profession. Notably, this compensation is slightly below the national median annual salary of $134,160, suggesting that while Wake Forest offers competitive pay, it may not fully match larger metropolitan areas. The local landscape reflects a blend of specialties, particularly in life, health, and pension sectors under the Society of Actuaries (SOA) versus property and casualty sectors governed by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), which can influence salary potential.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,414 | $38.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,829 | $44.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,806 | $59.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,472 | $76.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,899 | $92.26 |
Median Salary Position
7.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,485 (2026 est.). At $123,806, the local median is 7.72% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Actuary Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $123,806/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,564 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -7.72% less |
Actuarys in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $123,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $125,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $123,806 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,271 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,988
2025 BLS Actual
$119,967
2026 Current Est.
$123,806
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,988 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,461 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,727 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,353 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,806 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $99,988 (2019) to $119,967 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,780 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $79,414 – $92,829 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,829 – $123,806 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,806 – $158,472 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,472 – $191,899 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Wake Forest
With only nine actuaries employed in Wake Forest, the local job market is quite niche, emphasizing the importance of specialization in driving salaries. The cost of living index is at 93.6, meaning actuaries enjoy a higher purchasing power compared to many national averages. Firms such as Prudential, MetLife, and UnitedHealth are some of the prominent employers that tend to offer above-average salaries. The variance in compensation exists due to factors like exam progression, where each passed exam generally results in a pay increase, and the types of employers—consulting firms often provide higher wages for credential holders like FSA or FCAS. For those looking to maximize their actuary pay in Wake Forest NC, focusing on continuous education and passing exams can yield significant financial rewards. Gaining experience in high-demand areas such as predictive analytics can also enhance job prospects and salary potential.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $119,967 for actuariesin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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