Actuary Pay

Grand Rapids vs West Bloomfield: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Grand Rapids, MI
$100,321
$48.24/hr
West Bloomfield, MI
$126,366
$60.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIWest Bloomfield, MI
Median Salary$100,321$126,366
Hourly Rate$48.24$60.75
Entry Level (P10)$64,521$75,864
25th Percentile$80,651$93,718
75th Percentile$146,038$161,748
Top Earner (P90)$170,043$195,867
Total Employed6015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($100,321) and West Bloomfield ($126,366) actuary salaries.Grand RapidsWest BloomfieldMedian Salary$100,321$126,366Entry Level (P10)$64,521$75,864Top Earner (P90)$170,043$195,867US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and West Bloomfield is $26,045 (25.96%). West Bloomfield's median is -5.81% 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,West Bloomfield spans $120,003. West Bloomfield 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
West Bloomfield
P10 (Entry)$75,864
P25$93,718
Median$126,366
P75$161,748
P90 (Top)$195,867

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West Bloomfield ($135,586 effective) pays 29.13% more than Grand Rapids ($104,998 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $100,321
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $104,998
West Bloomfield
Nominal: $126,366
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $135,586

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 West Bloomfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($126,366/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($195,867)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,586)
  • 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 West Bloomfield over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+4.4%

$93,110 (2019) → $97,210 (2025)

West Bloomfield, MI

+8.3%

$113,029 (2024) → $122,448 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Grand Rapids or West Bloomfield?

West Bloomfield has a higher median actuary salary at $126,366/year, compared to Grand Rapids at $100,321/year — a difference of $26,045 (25.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and West Bloomfield?

Grand Rapids actuarys earn $48.24/hr while West Bloomfield hygienists earn $60.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to West Bloomfield as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and West Bloomfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $104,998, West Bloomfield = $135,586), job availability (60 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $64,521 in Grand Rapids and $75,864 in West Bloomfield. The West Bloomfield 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