Actuary Pay

Bowling Green vs Columbus: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Bowling Green, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, OH
$120,908
$58.13/hr
Columbus, OH
$109,949
$52.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$120,908$109,949
Hourly Rate$58.13$52.86
Entry Level (P10)$75,662$66,079
25th Percentile$91,565$87,421
75th Percentile$154,763$144,294
Top Earner (P90)$187,407$173,913
Total Employed7300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($120,908) and Columbus ($109,949) actuary salaries.Bowling GreenColumbusMedian Salary$120,908$109,949Entry Level (P10)$75,662$66,079Top Earner (P90)$187,407$173,913US Median $134,160

Verdict

Bowling Green, OH offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbus.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Columbus is $10,959 (9.97%). Bowling Green's median is -9.88% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $111,745,Columbus spans $107,834. Bowling Green has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$75,662
P25$91,565
Median$120,908
P75$154,763
P90 (Top)$187,407
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$66,079
P25$87,421
Median$109,949
P75$144,294
P90 (Top)$173,913

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bowling Green ($133,305 effective) pays 15.75% more than Columbus ($115,167 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $120,908
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $133,305
Columbus
Nominal: $109,949
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $115,167

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Higher median salary ($120,908/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($187,407)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,305)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Bowling Green grew 8.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.0% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Bowling Green, OH

+8.3%

$108,147 (2024) → $117,159 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+14.0%

$93,480 (2019) → $106,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Bowling Green or Columbus?

Bowling Green has a higher median actuary salary at $120,908/year, compared to Columbus at $109,949/year — a difference of $10,959 (9.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Columbus?

Bowling Green actuarys earn $58.13/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $52.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Columbus as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $133,305, Columbus = $115,167), job availability (7 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Bowling Green vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $75,662 in Bowling Green and $66,079 in Columbus. The Bowling Green area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov