Actuary Pay

Columbus vs Sandusky: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$109,949
$52.86/hr
Sandusky, OH
$120,927
$58.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHSandusky, OH
Median Salary$109,949$120,927
Hourly Rate$52.86$58.14
Entry Level (P10)$66,079$75,705
25th Percentile$87,421$91,602
75th Percentile$144,294$154,787
Top Earner (P90)$173,913$187,436
Total Employed3005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($109,949) and Sandusky ($120,927) actuary salaries.ColumbusSanduskyMedian Salary$109,949$120,927Entry Level (P10)$66,079$75,705Top Earner (P90)$173,913$187,436US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Sandusky is $10,978 (9.98%). Sandusky's median is -9.86% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $107,834,Sandusky spans $111,731. Sandusky has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$66,079
P25$87,421
Median$109,949
P75$144,294
P90 (Top)$173,913
Sandusky
P10 (Entry)$75,705
P25$91,602
Median$120,927
P75$154,787
P90 (Top)$187,436

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sandusky ($133,326 effective) pays 15.77% more than Columbus ($115,167 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $109,949
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $115,167
Sandusky
Nominal: $120,927
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $133,326

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

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

Choose Sandusky if…

  • Higher median salary ($120,927/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($187,436)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,326)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Columbus grew 14.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Sandusky over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+14.0%

$93,480 (2019) → $106,540 (2025)

Sandusky, OH

+8.3%

$108,163 (2024) → $117,177 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Columbus or Sandusky?

Sandusky has a higher median actuary salary at $120,927/year, compared to Columbus at $109,949/year — a difference of $10,978 (9.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Sandusky?

Columbus actuarys earn $52.86/hr while Sandusky hygienists earn $58.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Sandusky as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Sandusky. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $115,167, Sandusky = $133,326), job availability (300 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Columbus vs Sandusky?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $66,079 in Columbus and $75,705 in Sandusky. The Sandusky area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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