Actuary Pay

Detroit vs Troy: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Detroit, MI and Troy, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$109,020
$52.42/hr
Troy, MI
$125,812
$60.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MITroy, MI
Median Salary$109,020$125,812
Hourly Rate$52.42$60.49
Entry Level (P10)$69,743$74,759
25th Percentile$84,634$92,631
75th Percentile$139,475$161,039
Top Earner (P90)$175,997$195,009
Total Employed24020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($109,020) and Troy ($125,812) actuary salaries.DetroitTroyMedian Salary$109,020$125,812Entry Level (P10)$69,743$74,759Top Earner (P90)$175,997$195,009US Median $134,160

Verdict

Troy, MI offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Detroit.

The salary gap between Detroit and Troy is $16,792 (15.40%). Troy's median is -6.22% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $106,254,Troy spans $120,250. Troy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$69,743
P25$84,634
Median$109,020
P75$139,475
P90 (Top)$175,997
Troy
P10 (Entry)$74,759
P25$92,631
Median$125,812
P75$161,039
P90 (Top)$195,009

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Troy ($134,991 effective) pays 24.19% more than Detroit ($108,696 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $109,020
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $108,696
Troy
Nominal: $125,812
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $134,991

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Troy if…

  • Higher median salary ($125,812/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($195,009)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,991)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Detroit grew 14.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Troy over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+14.8%

$92,040 (2019) → $105,640 (2025)

Troy, MI

+8.3%

$112,533 (2024) → $121,911 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Detroit or Troy?

Troy has a higher median actuary salary at $125,812/year, compared to Detroit at $109,020/year — a difference of $16,792 (15.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Troy?

Detroit actuarys earn $52.42/hr while Troy hygienists earn $60.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Troy as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Troy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $108,696, Troy = $134,991), job availability (240 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Detroit vs Troy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $69,743 in Detroit and $74,759 in Troy. The Troy 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