Actuary Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $55.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Urbandale, IA runs $55.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,877 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,523 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Urbandale, IA, actuaries are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $55.71 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $64.50 per hour. This difference may influence part-time professionals and per-diem workers in areas such as actuarial pricing departments and consulting roles. Considering a part-time schedule of three days a week, the hourly earnings can provide a stable income, especially with a starting range from $35.78 for entry-level positions up to $86.35 for top earners. These hourly rates are derived from the annual salary data, illustrating the potential for actuaries to achieve a favorable work-life balance while still earning a competitive wage in Urbandale.
About the Urbandale 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) | $35.78 | $286.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.91 | $343.28 |
| Median (P50) | $55.71 | $445.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.31 | $570.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.35 | $690.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $55.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.71/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $115,871 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,849. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,228.29 | $9,656 | $115,871 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,336.98 | $5,794 | $69,523 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $891.32 | $3,862 | $46,349 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Urbandale) | $55.71 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $115,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $121,337.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.71/hr = $69,523/year (purchasing power: $76,906).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,871/year (purchasing power: $128,176).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Urbandale grew 20.0% from $44.99/hr (2019) to $53.98/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.49/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
For those considering part-time roles at a 24-hour workweek, an actuary can expect to earn approximately $43,908 annually, which contrasts with full-time counterparts who take home quite a bit more based on their extensive experience and credentials. While per-diem actuarial work is not common for junior actuaries, higher-level professionals often find agency positions or consult on 1099 arrangements, billing rates that can reach between $250 to $500 per hour, depending on their qualifications. When comparing different employers in Urbandale—life insurance companies, health insurers, and consulting firms—hourly rates can greatly vary, factoring in benefits like health insurance, which may sway some actuaries between choosing lower hourly rates or higher pay without benefits. Negotiating skillfully can help actuaries navigate the local job market, particularly when they can link their exam progressions and credentials to justify higher rates.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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