Actuary Salary in Wilmington, NC: $125,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Wilmington, NC earns a median $125,516/year (≈ $60.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $134,098 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $125,516 in 2026, the actuary salary in Wilmington, North Carolina reflects a competitive position within the broader market, albeit slightly below the national median of $134,160. The local salary range spans from $77,703 at the 10th percentile to $194,550 at the 90th percentile, presenting various earning potentials depending on experience and specialization. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, which reveal a steady job market for actuaries in this coastal city. In Wilmington, actuaries can expect to progress through a structured pay scale significantly influenced by their exam achievements and credentials, underscoring the importance of continued professional development in this profession.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,703 | $37.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,974 | $45.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,516 | $60.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,661 | $77.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,550 | $93.53 |
Median Salary Position
6.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,847 (2026 est.). At $125,516, the local median is 6.44% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Actuary Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $125,516/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $134,160 | -6.44% less |
Actuarys in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $125,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.44% lower than the national median of $134,160.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington 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.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $125,516 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,098 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,369
2025 BLS Actual
$121,624
2026 Current Est.
$125,516
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,369 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,077 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,646 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,268 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,624 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,532 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,369 (2019) to $121,624 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,163 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $77,703 – $94,974 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,974 – $125,516 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,516 – $160,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,661 – $194,550 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Wilmington
The local job market employs 28 actuaries, creating a niche workforce within the Wilmington area. Given the cost-of-living index of 93.6, actuaries in Wilmington can enjoy a favorable lifestyle compared to many national averages, enhancing their take-home purchasing power despite the lower average salary. Employers offering the highest compensation include renowned life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, as well as significant players in health insurance such as UnitedHealth and Cigna. The salary disparities often stem from various factors such as the number of exams passed, the level of professional credentials (ASA to FSA), and specialty areas where property & casualty and consulting roles generally command higher rates. For individuals aiming to maximize their actuary pay in Wilmington, focusing on obtaining advanced credentials and specializing in high-demand sectors like predictive analytics can substantially influence future earning potential.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $121,624 for actuariesin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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