Actuary Salary in Aberdeen, SD: $100,330 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Aberdeen, SD earns a median $100,330/year (≈ $48.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Aberdeen's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $108,114 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Aberdeen, South Dakota, can expect a median annual pay of $100,330, reflecting a relatively lower compensation level compared to the national median of $134,160. The local salary range offers opportunities from $63,671 at the 10th percentile to $155,511 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a robust potential for career advancement. These salary figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, which stands out in the context of insurance specialties, particularly between life, health, and pension markets championed by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the property and casualty sector represented by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). While the job market currently employs five actuaries, there remains room for growth, particularly within consulting and insurance firms focused on promoting candidates through exam successes.
About the Aberdeen Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,671 | $30.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,636 | $36.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,330 | $48.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,422 | $61.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,511 | $74.77 |
Median Salary Position
25.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aberdeen
In Aberdeen, SD, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,840 (2026 est.). At $100,330, the local median is 25.22% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aberdeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aberdeen Actuary Pay Compares
Aberdeen median: $100,330/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aberdeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $105,611 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -25.22% less |
Actuarys in Aberdeen, SD earn a median of $100,330 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.22% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 5.00% below the South Dakota state average of $105,611.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aberdeen has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aberdeen, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $100,330 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,114 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,028
2025 BLS Actual
$97,219
2026 Current Est.
$100,330
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Aberdeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,028 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,033 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,196 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,246 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,219 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,330 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aberdeen metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $81,028 (2019) to $97,219 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,513 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aberdeen 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) | $63,671 – $76,636 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,636 – $100,330 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,330 – $128,422 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,422 – $155,511 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Aberdeen
In Aberdeen, the cost of living index sits at 92.8, providing a competitive edge for actuaries in terms of take-home purchasing power compared to other regions, even with lower average salaries. Employers that typically offer the highest pay in the region are likely to be involved in life and health insurance sectors, such as Prudential and UnitedHealth, which seek actuaries with both ASA and FSA credentials. Factors influencing salary variation among local actuaries include progression through exams, specialization, and credential levels. Graduates or those progressing from ASA to FSA can expect significant pay jumps due to their additional qualifications. To maximize pay within this specific market, candidates should focus on obtaining relevant VEE credits, sharpening predictive analytics skills, and considering roles in high-paying consulting firms like Aon and Mercer, which often pay a premium for advanced credentials.
More salary data for Aberdeen, SD:
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 $97,219 for actuariesin the Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen 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