Actuary Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $64.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Des Moines, IA runs $64.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,717 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,831 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the actuary hourly pay in Des Moines, Iowa, is projected to be $64.77, making it slightly above the national median of $64.50. This wage is particularly beneficial for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work within various actuarial settings, such as insurance pricing departments, consulting engagements, or even remote actuarial modeling tasks. The hourly rates for actuaries in Iowa span a wide range—entry-level positions start at approximately $40.67, while top earners can make up to $86.07 per hour. These figures are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reflect the growing demand for actuarial professionals in Des Moines, with the profession poised for a 3.20% growth rate annually over the next five years.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.67 | $325.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.45 | $395.63 |
| Median (P50) | $64.77 | $518.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.54 | $612.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.07 | $688.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $64.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.77/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $134,718 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,722. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,590.73 | $11,227 | $134,718 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,554.44 | $6,736 | $80,831 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.29 | $4,491 | $53,887 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Des Moines) | $64.77 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $134,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 11.10% above the Iowa state average of $121,258.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.77/hr = $80,831/year (purchasing power: $88,146).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,718/year (purchasing power: $146,910).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Des Moines grew 32.2% from $47.48/hr (2019) to $62.76/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.84/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Des Moines
When evaluating the part-time earnings potential for an actuary working three days a week, the take-home pay can yield a significant difference when compared to full-time roles. For instance, someone clocking in 24 hours weekly would net around $80,000 annually while retaining work-life balance. In terms of per-diem or consultancy opportunities, it’s noteworthy that these types of roles are generally less common for entry-level actuaries; however, experienced FSAs and FCAS actuaries can command impressive rates, billing between $250-$500 per hour for consulting and $400-$800 for expert witness testimony. Across various employer types in Des Moines, such as life and health insurance firms, property and casualty insurers, and pension consulting agencies, the hourly pay varies widely. Choosing between lower hourly rates with the perks of health insurance or higher pay without benefits is a common trade-off. Actuaries looking to negotiate effectively in local markets could benefit from understanding these dynamics, emphasizing both their exam progression and any specialized skills in data analytics.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Des Moines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov