Actuary Salary in Clinton, IA: $113,808 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Clinton, IA earns a median $113,808/year (≈ $54.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Clinton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $125,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected actuary salary in Clinton, IA, stands at $113,808, demonstrating a notable gap compared to the national average of $134,160. This reflects the consulting vs. insurer pay gradient, where firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW typically offer higher compensation for fellows compared to traditional insurers. Local salaries range from $74,592 at the 10th percentile to a maximum of $176,402 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market where experienced professionals can earn significantly more. These figures originate from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and take into consideration regional price adjustments, emphasizing the importance of credential progression and employer type in shaping salary expectations in Clinton's job market.
About the Clinton Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,592 | $35.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,353 | $42.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,808 | $54.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,674 | $70.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,402 | $84.81 |
Median Salary Position
15.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clinton
In Clinton, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,810 (2026 est.). At $113,808, the local median is 15.17% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clinton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clinton Actuary Pay Compares
Clinton median: $113,808/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clinton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,330 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -15.17% less |
Actuarys in Clinton, IA earn a median of $113,808 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.17% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 6.20% below the Iowa state average of $121,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clinton has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clinton, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $113,808 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $125,894 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,913
2025 BLS Actual
$110,279
2026 Current Est.
$113,808
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Clinton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,913 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,187 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,835 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,698 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,796 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,796 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,279 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,808 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,450 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clinton metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $91,913 (2019) to $110,279 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,537 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clinton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,592 – $88,353 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,353 – $113,808 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,808 – $145,674 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,674 – $176,402 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Clinton
While Clinton employs just six actuaries, the cost of living index at 90.4 suggests that salaries may stretch further than in higher-cost areas, enhancing take-home purchasing power. Among the employers in Clinton, life insurance companies like Prudential and Northwestern Mutual tend to provide the most lucrative opportunities, though consulting firms also remain competitive. Factors influencing salary disparities include not only exam progression—where each passed exam often equates to a pay increase—but also the specialty market an actuary is in; for instance, property and casualty or consulting roles typically yield higher salaries compared to life and health sectors. To optimize their earnings, actuaries in Clinton should focus on obtaining relevant credentials such as FSA/FCAS, while also building skills in predictive analytics and data science, which are increasingly demanded by employers.
More salary data for Clinton, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $110,279 for actuariesin the Clinton metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clinton 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