Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$97,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$107,778 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$96,529 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $97,000 | $148,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,690 | $113,960▲ | -$39,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,160 | $189,440▲ | -$65,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,200 | $236,800▲ | -$81,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 6.85% | -3.78% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,778▲ | $79,144 | +$28,634 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,876 | $127,384▲ | -$40,508 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,529▲ | $68,120 | +$28,409 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 54,400 | -43,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $51,000 more (median: $97,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($107,778 vs $79,144 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 6.85%).
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.