Actuary Pay

Northfield vs St. Cloud: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Northfield, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Northfield, MN
$126,171
$60.66/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$131,176
$63.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorthfield, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$126,171$131,176
Hourly Rate$60.66$63.07
Entry Level (P10)$79,620$76,082
25th Percentile$95,715$102,298
75th Percentile$160,726$167,906
Top Earner (P90)$195,565$203,324
Total Employed612
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Northfield ($126,171) and St. Cloud ($131,176) actuary salaries.NorthfieldSt. CloudMedian Salary$126,171$131,176Entry Level (P10)$79,620$76,082Top Earner (P90)$195,565$203,324US Median $134,160

Verdict

St. Cloud, MN offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northfield.

The salary gap between Northfield and St. Cloud is $5,005 (3.97%). St. Cloud's median is -2.22% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Northfield spans $115,945,St. Cloud spans $127,242. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Northfield
P10 (Entry)$79,620
P25$95,715
Median$126,171
P75$160,726
P90 (Top)$195,565
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$76,082
P25$102,298
Median$131,176
P75$167,906
P90 (Top)$203,324

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($133,174 effective) pays 3.97% more than Northfield ($128,092 effective).

Northfield
Nominal: $126,171
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $128,092
St. Cloud
Nominal: $131,176
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $133,174

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Northfield if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,176/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($203,324)
  • Larger job market (12 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,174)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Northfield grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Northfield, MN

+1.6%

$120,378 (2024) → $122,259 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+1.6%

$125,154 (2024) → $127,109 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Northfield or St. Cloud?

St. Cloud has a higher median actuary salary at $131,176/year, compared to Northfield at $126,171/year — a difference of $5,005 (3.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Northfield and St. Cloud?

Northfield actuarys earn $60.66/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $63.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Northfield to St. Cloud as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Northfield and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Northfield = $128,092, St. Cloud = $133,174), job availability (6 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Northfield vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $79,620 in Northfield and $76,082 in St. Cloud. The Northfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov