Actuary salary in Columbia, SC
Actuaries in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $133,060 a year ($63.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,580 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $130,000. There are 0.19 actuaries per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $134,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for actuaries in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| 25th percentile | $96,910 | $46.59 |
| Median | $133,060 | $63.97 |
| 75th percentile | $170,760 | $82.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $228,580 | $109.90 |
| Average (mean) | $134,520 | $64.67 |
Half of actuaries earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,088.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,544.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,117.69 |
| Weekly | $2,558.85 |
| Hourly | $63.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Actuary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $128,730 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for actuaries
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $166,800 |
| District of Columbia | $166,230 |
| New York | $156,480 |
| New Jersey | $142,800 |
| Alabama | $136,950 |
| Arizona | $135,870 |
| Washington | $134,720 |
| Utah | $132,720 |
| Nevada | $132,370 |
| Florida | $132,110 |
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $88,260 | $42.43 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Statistician | $67,630 | $32.51 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $90,760 | $43.64 |
| Software Developer | $123,380 | $59.32 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Information Security Analyst | $101,330 | $48.71 |
| Computer Network Architect | $125,510 | $60.34 |
| Database Administrator | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Database Architect | $135,790 | $65.28 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a actuary make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for actuaries in the Columbia, SC metro area is $133,060 a year, or $63.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $228,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actuaries make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of actuaries in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $228,580 a year. The top 25% earn $170,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for actuaries in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,640 a year, and a quarter of actuaries earn $96,910 or less.
How many actuaries work in Columbia, SC?
About 80 actuaries are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.