Senior Actuary Salary in Mason City, IA: $177,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Mason City, IA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $177,977/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Mason City's price premium (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $196,877 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, experienced actuaries in Mason City, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $114,823, with top earners, positioned at the 90th percentile, reaching a commendable $177,977. This figure highlights the significant earning potential for seasoned professionals within the market, particularly when compared to the national top-tier actuary salary of $134,160. The financial gap between the median and the upper echelon of this field signals the rewards of extensive experience and specialized skills. To ascend to these higher salary brackets, actuaries must not only refine their technical proficiency but also cultivate advanced credentials, and in particular, focus on fields such as predictive analytics and enterprise risk management, which are hot commodities in today’s job market within Mason City.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Mason City earn between $146,974 and $177,977 per year (2026 est.). This $105,804 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Mason City median of $114,823 sits 14.41% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Mason City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $114,823 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,974 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $177,977 | $221,983 |
In Mason City, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Mason City
Advanced Certifications in Iowa
IA actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $114,823 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Mason City employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Mason City command premium compensation, often reaching the $146,974–$177,977 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Mason City metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Mason City with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Actuaries in Iowa who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Actuary Career & Wage Growth Path in Mason City
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMason City ranks #19 of 26 Iowa cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $177,977).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Mason City ($177,977) is 2.41% below the Iowa average P90 ($182,374).
2019 BLS Actual
$155,220
2025 BLS Actual
$172,458
2026 Current Est.
$177,977
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $155,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $157,152 | Actual |
| 2021 | $165,819 | Actual |
| 2022 | $159,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $167,816 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,191 | Actual |
| 2025 | $172,458 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $177,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,672 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Mason City saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $155,220 in 2019 to $172,458 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.20% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $183,672 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason 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.
Maximizing Your Actuary Earnings in Mason City
The compensation landscape for senior actuaries in Mason City is influenced heavily by specialization. Areas such as life and annuity, health insurance, and property & casualty often command premium pay, particularly with employers like UnitedHealth and Progressive. Senior actuaries advancing in their careers, especially those on the ASA to FSA trajectory, can see significant increases in pay with each exam passed—typically translating to an increase of about $3,000 to $8,000 per exam. The varying pay structures across employers reveal that consulting firms such as Aon and Mercer often provide higher compensation compared to traditional insurers. This dynamic underscores the importance of exam progression, with full credentialing significantly enhancing earning potential. Beyond salary, non-monetary benefits such as study time allowances and signing bonuses for credential milestones are also attractive features for senior actuaries in the area, contributing to an overall competitive landscape for those skilled in data analysis and risk management strategies in IA.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Mason City in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Mason City?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Mason City?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Mason City?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Mason City?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $172,458 for actuaries in the Mason City metro area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mason 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