Actuary Salary in Brookings, SD: $97,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Brookings, SD earns a median $97,536/year (≈ $46.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $105,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average actuary salary in Brookings, South Dakota, reaches $97,536, representing a significant difference from the national median of $134,160. This projected median reflects a salary range that spans from $64,393 at the 10th percentile to $151,005 at the 90th percentile. Data estimates, derived from 2025 BLS figures adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight a local compensation structure heavily influenced by the presence of consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer, which tend to offer higher pay for FSA-level actuaries compared to traditional insurers. The job market in Brookings offers unique opportunities for actuaries, primarily due to the community's low cost of living, which is notably lower than the national average.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,393 | $30.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,058 | $36.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,536 | $46.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,121 | $59.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,005 | $72.60 |
Median Salary Position
27.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,612 (2026 est.). At $97,536, the local median is 27.3% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookings Actuary Pay Compares
Brookings median: $97,536/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $105,559 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -27.30% less |
Actuarys in Brookings, SD earn a median of $97,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.30% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $105,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings 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.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $97,536 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,103 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,772
2025 BLS Actual
$94,512
2026 Current Est.
$97,536
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,872 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,022 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,512 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $78,772 (2019) to $94,512 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,886 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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) | $64,393 – $76,058 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,058 – $97,536 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,536 – $124,121 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,121 – $151,005 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Brookings
Currently employing around four actuaries, Brookings demonstrates a modest market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, professionals in this field experience a more favorable purchasing power, despite salaries being lower than the national mean. The competitive pay landscape is characterized by various employers; consulting firms are likely to provide the highest salaries for credentialed professionals. Salary disparities rely on factors such as exam progression, where each completed exam can yield an increase of $3,000 to $8,000. Those who obtain fellowships from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) see further financial benefits. Actuaries in Brookings looking to maximize their earnings should focus on credential advancement and consider the consulting route, as it often leads to better compensation relative to insurance companies.
More salary data for Brookings, 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 $94,512 for actuariesin the Brookings 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 Brookings 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