Senior Actuary Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $203,324 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in St. Cloud, MN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $203,324/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back St. Cloud's price premium (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $206,420 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
Senior actuaries in St. Cloud, Minnesota, can anticipate significant earning potential as they climb the career ladder. Those at the top of their profession, represented by the 90th percentile, can expect to earn as much as $203,324 annually. This represents an attractive income for experienced professionals, especially when considering the median annual salary of $131,176. While St. Cloud's top actuary salary may fall short of the national figure of $134,160, the substantial gap between the median and the top earners illustrates the lucrative opportunities available to seasoned actuaries. Achieving such premium pay demands a combination of advanced degrees, relevant specializations, and a successful track record in the profession, coupled with mastery of the rigorous exam progression that typically spans several years.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in St. Cloud earn between $167,906 and $203,324 per year (2026 est.). This $127,242 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The St. Cloud median of $131,176 sits 2.22% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | St. Cloud | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $131,176 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,906 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $203,324 | $221,983 |
In St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud
Advanced Certifications in Minnesota
MN actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $131,176 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by St. Cloud employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in St. Cloud command premium compensation, often reaching the $167,906–$203,324 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the St. Cloud metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in St. Cloud 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 Minnesota 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 St. Cloud
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSt. Cloud ranks #8 of 44 Minnesota cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $203,324).
Top 10% actuary compensation in St. Cloud ($203,324) is 6.3% below the Minnesota average P90 ($216,990).
2019 BLS Actual
$177,326
2025 BLS Actual
$197,019
2026 Current Est.
$203,324
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $177,326 | Actual |
| 2020 | $179,534 | Actual |
| 2021 | $189,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $191,716 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,989 | Actual |
| 2025 | $197,019 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $203,324 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $209,830 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in St. Cloud saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $177,326 in 2019 to $197,019 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 $209,830 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Compensation for senior actuaries is shaped by the types of specializations and the nature of their employers in St. Cloud. Key areas such as health, life and annuity, and enterprise risk management are among those that can yield higher pay. For instance, actuaries working for health insurance giants such as UnitedHealth or Cigna may enjoy distinctive benefits, while those in property and casualty sectors, like State Farm, are also well-compensated. As actuaries advance from positions such as actuarial analyst to becoming a Fellow (FSA / FCAS), their earning potential grows correspondingly. Demonstrating expertise in predictive analytics or data science demands a premium in the current job market, further driving compensation upwards. Non-salary compensation factors, such as bonuses tied to exam success and pathway achievements towards FSA credentials, also significantly influence total earnings. Thus, strategic career moves and securing advanced credentials are vital in capturing the high-caliber actuary salaries available in St. Cloud.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in St. Cloud in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in St. Cloud?
What certifications boost actuary salary in St. Cloud?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in St. Cloud?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in St. Cloud?
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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 $197,019 for actuaries in the St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud 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