Actuary Salary in Sioux City, IA: $122,157 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Sioux City, IA earns a median $122,157/year (≈ $58.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Sioux City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $135,129 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for actuaries in Sioux City is projected to reach $122,157, reflecting a notable value that comes in below the national median of $134,160. The local salary range spans from a low of $72,790 at the 10th percentile to a high of $189,343 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the disparities within this profession. These financial figures are derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, with Sioux City's market being characterized by a prominent pay gradient between consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer and traditional insurance providers. This dynamic illustrates the competitive landscape for actuaries in this area, emphasizing the importance of credential progression and specialty market selection.
About the Sioux City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,093 | $43.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,157 | $58.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,360 | $75.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,343 | $91.03 |
Median Salary Position
8.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
In Sioux City, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,553 (2026 est.). At $122,157, the local median is 8.95% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux City Actuary Pay Compares
Sioux City median: $122,157/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,308 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -8.95% less |
Actuarys in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $122,157 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.70% above the Iowa state average of $121,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux City 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.
Sioux City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $122,157 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,129 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,656
2025 BLS Actual
$118,369
2026 Current Est.
$122,157
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,656 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,096 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,425 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,791 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,264 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,264 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,157 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux City metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $98,656 (2019) to $118,369 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,410 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,790 – $90,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,093 – $122,157 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,157 – $156,360 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,360 – $189,343 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Sioux City
Within Sioux City, a small but stable job market employs approximately 13 actuaries, an indicator of the profession's size in the region. The cost of living index being 90.4 suggests that overall expenses are below the national average, allowing for relatively greater purchasing power with the salary figures provided. Among local employers, consulting firms tend to offer the highest compensation packages, especially for those holding FSA or FCAS credentials, while life and health insurers may provide more modest pay scales. The variation in salaries is often linked to factors such as exam progression, where each passed exam typically brings a salary increase of $3,000 to $8,000, along with the difference in market demand across specialties such as property and casualty versus life and health. For actuaries in Sioux City, focusing on advanced credentials and developing skills in predictive analytics could unlock higher earnings potential, enhancing their value in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Sioux 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
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 $118,369 for actuariesin the Sioux City 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 Sioux 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