Actuary Pay

Detroit vs Westland: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Detroit, MI
$109,020
$52.42/hr
Westland, MI
$125,485
$60.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIWestland, MI
Median Salary$109,020$125,485
Hourly Rate$52.42$60.33
Entry Level (P10)$69,743$74,035
25th Percentile$84,634$91,992
75th Percentile$139,475$160,620
Top Earner (P90)$175,997$194,502
Total Employed24014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($109,020) and Westland ($125,485) actuary salaries.DetroitWestlandMedian Salary$109,020$125,485Entry Level (P10)$69,743$74,035Top Earner (P90)$175,997$194,502US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Detroit and Westland is $16,465 (15.10%). Westland's median is -6.47% 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,Westland spans $120,467. Westland 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
Westland
P10 (Entry)$74,035
P25$91,992
Median$125,485
P75$160,620
P90 (Top)$194,502

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Westland ($134,641 effective) pays 23.87% more than Detroit ($108,696 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $109,020
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $108,696
Westland
Nominal: $125,485
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $134,641

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 Westland if…

  • Higher median salary ($125,485/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($194,502)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,641)
  • 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 Westland over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+14.8%

$92,040 (2019) → $105,640 (2025)

Westland, MI

+8.3%

$112,241 (2024) → $121,594 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Detroit or Westland?

Westland has a higher median actuary salary at $125,485/year, compared to Detroit at $109,020/year — a difference of $16,465 (15.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Westland?

Detroit actuarys earn $52.42/hr while Westland hygienists earn $60.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Westland as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Westland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $108,696, Westland = $134,641), job availability (240 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $69,743 in Detroit and $74,035 in Westland. The Westland 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