Actuary Pay

Dickinson vs Fargo: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Dickinson, ND and Fargo, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dickinson, ND
$107,872
$51.86/hr
Fargo, ND
$114,076
$54.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDickinson, NDFargo, ND
Median Salary$107,872$114,076
Hourly Rate$51.86$54.84
Entry Level (P10)$64,487$66,165
25th Percentile$79,548$82,135
75th Percentile$136,366$146,018
Top Earner (P90)$167,202$176,818
Total Employed431
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dickinson ($107,872) and Fargo ($114,076) actuary salaries.DickinsonFargoMedian Salary$107,872$114,076Entry Level (P10)$64,487$66,165Top Earner (P90)$167,202$176,818US Median $134,160

Verdict

Fargo, ND offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dickinson.

The salary gap between Dickinson and Fargo is $6,204 (5.75%). Fargo's median is -14.97% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dickinson spans $102,715,Fargo spans $110,653. Fargo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Dickinson
P10 (Entry)$64,487
P25$79,548
Median$107,872
P75$136,366
P90 (Top)$167,202
Fargo
P10 (Entry)$66,165
P25$82,135
Median$114,076
P75$146,018
P90 (Top)$176,818

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fargo ($123,996 effective) pays 5.75% more than Dickinson ($117,252 effective).

Dickinson
Nominal: $107,872
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $117,252
Fargo
Nominal: $114,076
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $123,996

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dickinson if…

  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Fargo if…

  • Higher median salary ($114,076/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($176,818)
  • Larger job market (31 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $123,996)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Dickinson grew 5.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.6% growth in Fargo over the same period.

Dickinson, ND

+5.6%

$98,953 (2024) → $104,527 (2025)

Fargo, ND

+5.6%

$104,645 (2024) → $110,539 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Dickinson or Fargo?

Fargo has a higher median actuary salary at $114,076/year, compared to Dickinson at $107,872/year — a difference of $6,204 (5.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dickinson and Fargo?

Dickinson actuarys earn $51.86/hr while Fargo hygienists earn $54.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dickinson to Fargo as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dickinson and Fargo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dickinson = $117,252, Fargo = $123,996), job availability (4 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Dickinson vs Fargo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $64,487 in Dickinson and $66,165 in Fargo. The Fargo area offers higher starting salaries.
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