Actuary Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $117,124 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $117,124/year (≈ $56.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $129,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, actuaries can expect a median annual salary of $117,124 in 2026, which reflects a notable difference from the national median of $134,160. The salary range for this role spans from $70,825 at the 10th percentile to $181,542 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy potential for income growth based on experience and specialization. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations. Given the specific market dynamics in Council Bluffs, those looking to enter this field should be aware of the variations in pay that arise from different specialties such as life, health, pension, and property and casualty (P&C) insurance, with the latter often commanding higher salaries.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,825 | $34.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,516 | $42.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,124 | $56.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,919 | $72.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,542 | $87.28 |
Median Salary Position
12.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,717 (2026 est.). At $117,124, the local median is 12.7% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Actuary Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $117,124/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,246 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -12.70% less |
Actuarys in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $117,124 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $121,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $117,124 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,591
2025 BLS Actual
$113,492
2026 Current Est.
$117,124
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,931 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,452 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,515 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,762 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,762 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,492 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,124 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,872 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $94,591 (2019) to $113,492 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,872 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,281 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $70,825 – $87,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,516 – $117,124 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,124 – $149,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,919 – $181,542 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Council Bluffs
Examining the local job market, there are currently 12 actuaries employed in the area, which signals a niche but steady demand. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, Council Bluffs offers a lower living expense compared to the national average, enhancing the take-home pay for actuaries working here. Employers that are typically more lucrative include life insurance providers such as Prudential and MetLife, along with health insurance firms like UnitedHealth and Cigna. As actuaries pursue their qualifications, the potential for increased remuneration is significant; each passed exam can lead to a salary boost of $3,000 to $8,000. To maximize their pay in Council Bluffs, actuaries should focus on advancing their credentials through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), as well as developing skills in predictive analytics, a growing area within both consulting and insurance sectors.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $113,492 for actuariesin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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