Actuary Salary in Waukee, IA: $116,033 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Waukee, IA earns a median $116,033/year (≈ $55.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $128,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for an actuary in Waukee, Iowa, is projected to be $116,033, reflecting a 3.20% growth rate over the next five years based on 2025 BLS data. This salary sits considerably lower than the national median of $134,160, positioning Waukee actuaries approximately 13.51% behind their national counterparts. Salary ranges in the area span from $73,128 at the 10th percentile to $176,361 at the 90th percentile, suggesting significant earning potential for those with advanced certifications and experience. Local estimates, adjusted for regional price variations, illustrate a distinct pay gradient, particularly noticeable between consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer versus traditional insurance companies. As such, Waukee's salary landscape reflects both the consulting premium and the evolving demands from employers in the local job market.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,128 | $35.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,322 | $42.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,033 | $55.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,629 | $70.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,361 | $84.79 |
Median Salary Position
13.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,233 (2026 est.). At $116,033, the local median is 13.51% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukee Actuary Pay Compares
Waukee median: $116,033/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,247 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -13.51% less |
Actuarys in Waukee, IA earn a median of $116,033 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.51% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $121,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee 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.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $116,033 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,355 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,710
2025 BLS Actual
$112,435
2026 Current Est.
$116,033
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,435 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,033 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $93,710 (2019) to $112,435 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,036 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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) | $73,128 – $88,322 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,322 – $116,033 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,033 – $145,629 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,629 – $176,361 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Waukee
The job market for actuaries in Waukee is relatively niche, with only four actuaries currently employed in the area. This limited pool suggests that opportunities may be tightly contested, especially as the cost-of-living index sits at 90.4, indicating a lower living expense compared to the national average. Consequently, the purchasing power for actuarial salaries in Waukee can remain competitive despite slightly lower salary figures. Noteworthy employers in the area include life insurance companies like Northwestern Mutual and health insurance providers such as UnitedHealth, which typically offer more attractive pay packages compared to property & casualty insurers. The disparity in compensation often stems from factors such as the progression through actuarial exams, with each completed exam yielding a potential pay increase and further specialization enhancing earning potential. For those looking to maximize their actuary pay in Waukee, pursuing advanced qualifications and shifting towards high-demand sectors like predictive analytics or consulting can lead to substantial financial rewards.
More salary data for Waukee, 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 $112,435 for actuariesin the Waukee 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 Waukee 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