Actuary Salary in Muscatine, IA: $113,269 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Muscatine, IA earns a median $113,269/year (≈ $54.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $125,298 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Muscatine, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $113,269 in 2026, reflecting local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities. With salaries ranging from $76,722 at the 10th percentile to $175,567 at the 90th percentile, the pay structure reflects a significant variability in compensation based on experience and exam progression. In this area, passing each actuarial exam can add considerable value to one’s salary, further motivating professionals to pursue their credentials diligently. As local businesses, including insurance firms and consulting agencies, continue to develop, this will create additional opportunities for career advancement and salary growth.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,722 | $36.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,829 | $43.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,269 | $54.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,985 | $69.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,567 | $84.41 |
Median Salary Position
15.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,845 (2026 est.). At $113,269, the local median is 15.57% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Actuary Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $113,269/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,273 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -15.57% less |
Actuarys in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $113,269 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.57% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $121,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $113,269 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $125,298 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,478
2025 BLS Actual
$109,757
2026 Current Est.
$113,269
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,478 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,315 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,757 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,269 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,894 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $91,478 (2019) to $109,757 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,894 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,416 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $76,722 – $89,829 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,829 – $113,269 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,269 – $144,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,985 – $175,567 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Muscatine
In Muscatine, the local job market employs only five actuaries, indicating a relatively niche profession in the area. While the cost-of-living index sits at 90.4, meaning expenses are less than the national average, this translates to stronger purchasing power for residents compared to larger markets. Within this market, life insurance companies, such as Prudential and MetLife, tend to offer some of the more competitive salaries, alongside consulting firms that often pay premium compensation for higher credential levels like FSA or FCAS. The variation in salaries owes much to factors like exam progression, where completing certifications can elevate pay substantially, along with the specific specialty practiced—property and casualty insurance roles can command higher salaries than those in health or pension sectors. Professionals seeking to maximize their earnings should focus on acquiring advanced credentials while considering cross-industry skills, like data analytics, to improve their marketability in Muscatine.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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
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 $109,757 for actuariesin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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