Actuary Hourly Pay in Mason City, IA: $55.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Mason City, IA runs $55.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,823 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Mason City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,892 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Mason City, IA, the projected median hourly pay for actuaries stands at $55.20, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $64.50. This local rate indicates a stable opportunity for actuaries working part-time or in per-diem roles, commonly engaged in projects spanning insurance company pricing departments or hybrid consulting environments. For example, an actuary working three days per week could earn around $2,654 monthly, assuming a consistent schedule, which underscores the appeal of actuarial work in both corporate and flexible arrangements. The hourly range for the role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $34.70 per hour and more experienced professionals, particularly those with specialized skills, nearing $85.56 per hour. These figures provide a basis for both current and aspiring actuaries considering careers in Mason City.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.70 | $277.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.92 | $335.36 |
| Median (P50) | $55.20 | $441.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.66 | $565.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.56 | $684.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mason City
Based on $55.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.20/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mason City, IA can expect to earn approximately $114,819 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,242. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mason City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mason City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,208.07 | $9,568 | $114,819 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,324.84 | $5,741 | $68,892 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $883.23 | $3,827 | $45,928 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Mason City) | $55.20 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Mason City, IA earn a median of $114,823 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.41% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $121,250.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.20/hr = $68,892/year (purchasing power: $76,208).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,819/year (purchasing power: $127,013).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Mason City grew 20.0% from $44.58/hr (2019) to $53.49/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.97/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 Mason City 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 Mason City
Examining the earning potential for part-time actuaries in Mason City reveals that those working a 3-day week, at 24 hours, might earn approximately $63,600 annually, which is significantly lower than what full-time colleagues might obtain. Per-diem actuarial work is less common at junior levels; however, mature professionals often leverage their expertise in consulting engagements, with hourly bill rates widely ranging from $250 to $500. Notably, expert witness testimony in litigation can command rates between $400 and $800 per hour, demonstrating a lucrative avenue for specialized actuaries. The compensation varies by employer type as well; actuaries working in life insurance firms might earn lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive benefits, while those at health or property casualty insurers could command higher pay without the associated benefits. Actuaries in Mason City should consider practical negotiation strategies as they seek to optimize their pay arrangements, especially in consulting roles where flexibility and expertise can lead to enhanced compensation.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Mason City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mason City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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