Actuary Pay

Davenport vs Ottumwa: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Davenport, IA and Ottumwa, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$107,545
$51.70/hr
Ottumwa, IA
$112,841
$54.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAOttumwa, IA
Median Salary$107,545$112,841
Hourly Rate$51.70$54.25
Entry Level (P10)$62,993$75,833
25th Percentile$85,006$88,965
75th Percentile$162,457$144,437
Top Earner (P90)$199,898$174,903
Total Employed505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($107,545) and Ottumwa ($112,841) actuary salaries.DavenportOttumwaMedian Salary$107,545$112,841Entry Level (P10)$62,993$75,833Top Earner (P90)$199,898$174,903US Median $134,160

Verdict

Davenport and Ottumwa are closely matched on overall actuary compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Davenport and Ottumwa is $5,296 (4.92%). Ottumwa's median is -15.89% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $136,905,Ottumwa spans $99,070. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$62,993
P25$85,006
Median$107,545
P75$162,457
P90 (Top)$199,898
Ottumwa
P10 (Entry)$75,833
P25$88,965
Median$112,841
P75$144,437
P90 (Top)$174,903

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ottumwa ($124,824 effective) pays 3.39% more than Davenport ($120,730 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $107,545
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $120,730
Ottumwa
Nominal: $112,841
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $124,824

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($199,898)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Ottumwa if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,841/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $124,824)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Davenport grew -6.0% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Ottumwa over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+-6.0%

$110,850 (2022) → $104,210 (2025)

Ottumwa, IA

+8.3%

$100,931 (2024) → $109,342 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Davenport or Ottumwa?

Ottumwa has a higher median actuary salary at $112,841/year, compared to Davenport at $107,545/year — a difference of $5,296 (4.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Ottumwa?

Davenport actuarys earn $51.70/hr while Ottumwa hygienists earn $54.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Ottumwa as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Ottumwa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $120,730, Ottumwa = $124,824), job availability (50 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Davenport vs Ottumwa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $62,993 in Davenport and $75,833 in Ottumwa. The Ottumwa 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