Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Charlotte, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Charlotte, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$101,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$99,020 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$87,376 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $154,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $118,580▲ | -$40,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $197,120▲ | -$67,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $246,400▲ | -$84,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 186 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,020▲ | $82,796 | +$16,224 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,124 | $129,062▲ | -$39,938 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,376▲ | $69,388 | +$17,988 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 41,600 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $53,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 186), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($99,020 vs $82,796 equivalent). Charlotte, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.