Actuary Salary in New York, NY
Actuaries in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn a median $161,460 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $113,138 take-home, or $9,428 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median actuary salary in New York, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,484
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,011
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,341
- New York income tax$8,486
- Take-home pay$113,138
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.90% state
Living in New York City? City residents also pay New York City’s city income tax — about $5,823 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $107,315 ($8,943 a month). Choose “New York City” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro spans New York, New Jersey. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Actuary pay by experience in New York, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,590 | $43.55 | $68,256 | $5,688 |
| 25th percentile | $115,310 | $55.44 | $84,188 | $7,016 |
| Median (50th) | $161,460 | $77.63 | $113,138 | $9,428 |
| 75th percentile | $211,330 | $101.60 | $145,843 | $12,154 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $276,250+ | $132.81 | $184,537 | $15,378 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $161,460 buys in New York, NY
Prices in New York, NY are 12.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.49× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median actuary's $113,138 take-home pay has the buying power of $100,511 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
New York, NY has 1.7× the national concentration of actuary jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for actuaries, adjusted for cost of living
New York, NY ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $161,460 | $113,138 | $100,511 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
About the job: actuaries
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a actuary make in New York, NY?
The median actuary salary in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is $161,460 a year, or about $77.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $115,310 and $211,330.
What is a actuary’s take-home pay in New York, NY?
On the median $161,460 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $113,138 a year ($9,428 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,486 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is New York, NY a good place to work as a actuary?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $130,000. Local prices are 12.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $100,511 would in a typical U.S. city. New York, NY ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a actuary afford rent in New York, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New York, NY is $2,378 a month ($2,697 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median actuary’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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