Actuary Pay

Detroit vs Ypsilanti: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Detroit, MI
$109,020
$52.42/hr
Ypsilanti, MI
$116,298
$55.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIYpsilanti, MI
Median Salary$109,020$116,298
Hourly Rate$52.42$55.91
Entry Level (P10)$69,743$78,094
25th Percentile$84,634$91,645
75th Percentile$139,475$148,862
Top Earner (P90)$175,997$180,263
Total Employed2404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($109,020) and Ypsilanti ($116,298) actuary salaries.DetroitYpsilantiMedian Salary$109,020$116,298Entry Level (P10)$69,743$78,094Top Earner (P90)$175,997$180,263US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Detroit and Ypsilanti is $7,278 (6.68%). Ypsilanti's median is -13.31% 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,Ypsilanti spans $102,169. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$69,743
P25$84,634
Median$109,020
P75$139,475
P90 (Top)$175,997
Ypsilanti
P10 (Entry)$78,094
P25$91,645
Median$116,298
P75$148,862
P90 (Top)$180,263

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ypsilanti ($124,783 effective) pays 14.80% more than Detroit ($108,696 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $109,020
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $108,696
Ypsilanti
Nominal: $116,298
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $124,783

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 Ypsilanti if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,298/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($180,263)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $124,783)
  • 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 Ypsilanti over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+14.8%

$92,040 (2019) → $105,640 (2025)

Ypsilanti, MI

+8.3%

$104,024 (2024) → $112,692 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Detroit or Ypsilanti?

Ypsilanti has a higher median actuary salary at $116,298/year, compared to Detroit at $109,020/year — a difference of $7,278 (6.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Ypsilanti?

Detroit actuarys earn $52.42/hr while Ypsilanti hygienists earn $55.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Ypsilanti as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Ypsilanti. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $108,696, Ypsilanti = $124,783), job availability (240 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $69,743 in Detroit and $78,094 in Ypsilanti. The Ypsilanti 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