Actuary Pay

Grand Rapids vs Holland: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Grand Rapids, MI and Holland, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$100,321
$48.24/hr
Holland, MI
$119,486
$57.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIHolland, MI
Median Salary$100,321$119,486
Hourly Rate$48.24$57.44
Entry Level (P10)$64,521$76,396
25th Percentile$80,651$92,061
75th Percentile$146,038$152,942
Top Earner (P90)$170,043$185,204
Total Employed605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($100,321) and Holland ($119,486) actuary salaries.Grand RapidsHollandMedian Salary$100,321$119,486Entry Level (P10)$64,521$76,396Top Earner (P90)$170,043$185,204US Median $134,160

Verdict

Holland, MI offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Grand Rapids.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Holland is $19,165 (19.10%). Holland's median is -10.94% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Rapids spans $105,522,Holland spans $108,808. Holland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$64,521
P25$80,651
Median$100,321
P75$146,038
P90 (Top)$170,043
Holland
P10 (Entry)$76,396
P25$92,061
Median$119,486
P75$152,942
P90 (Top)$185,204

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Holland ($128,204 effective) pays 22.10% more than Grand Rapids ($104,998 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $100,321
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $104,998
Holland
Nominal: $119,486
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $128,204

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Holland if…

  • Higher median salary ($119,486/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($185,204)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,204)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Grand Rapids grew 4.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Holland over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+4.4%

$93,110 (2019) → $97,210 (2025)

Holland, MI

+8.3%

$106,875 (2024) → $115,781 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Grand Rapids or Holland?

Holland has a higher median actuary salary at $119,486/year, compared to Grand Rapids at $100,321/year — a difference of $19,165 (19.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Holland?

Grand Rapids actuarys earn $48.24/hr while Holland hygienists earn $57.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to Holland as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Holland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $104,998, Holland = $128,204), job availability (60 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Grand Rapids vs Holland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $64,521 in Grand Rapids and $76,396 in Holland. The Holland 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