Actuary Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $120,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $120,552/year (≈ $57.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $134,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in St. Joseph, Missouri, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $120,552. This salary reflects a local market where the pay range extends from $70,861 at the 10th percentile to $186,856 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant potential for growth based on experience and credential attainment. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected into 2026, illustrate a competitive market despite being 10.14% lower than the national median of $134,160. The salary trajectory for actuaries in St. Joseph is promising, with an annual growth rate of 3.20% projected over the next five years, indicating a stable demand for actuarial expertise.
About the St. Joseph Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,861 | $34.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,272 | $42.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,552 | $57.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,307 | $74.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,856 | $89.84 |
Median Salary Position
10.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,995 (2026 est.). At $120,552, the local median is 10.14% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Joseph Actuary Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $120,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $120,191 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -10.14% less |
Actuarys in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $120,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.30% above the Missouri state average of $120,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $120,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,545 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,360
2025 BLS Actual
$116,814
2026 Current Est.
$120,552
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,768 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,158 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,428 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,828 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,031 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,410 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $97,360 (2019) to $116,814 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,410 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,050 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $70,861 – $88,272 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,272 – $120,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,552 – $154,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,307 – $186,856 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in St. Joseph
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently 18 actuaries employed in the St. Joseph area, supported by a cost of living index of 89.6, which suggests that actuaries in this region enjoy a relatively advantageous purchasing power compared to national averages. Among the local employers, life insurance firms such as Prudential and MetLife, as well as managed care organizations like UnitedHealth and Cigna, are known to offer some of the highest compensation packages for actuaries. Pay disparities in St. Joseph often stem from the exam progression typical in the actuarial field, where each passed exam can increase salaries by $3,000 to $8,000. Additionally, obtaining advanced credentials such as FSA or FCAS is crucial for maximizing earning potential in higher-paying specialties, particularly in consulting roles. Those aiming to boost their salary in this market should consider strategic exam preparation, seek positions at consulting firms, and enhance their skill sets with in-demand areas like predictive analytics.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
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 $116,814 for actuariesin the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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