Actuary Pay

Indianapolis vs Valparaiso: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Indianapolis, IN and Valparaiso, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$104,273
$50.13/hr
Valparaiso, IN
$120,823
$58.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INValparaiso, IN
Median Salary$104,273$120,823
Hourly Rate$50.13$58.09
Entry Level (P10)$69,650$73,617
25th Percentile$84,056$90,405
75th Percentile$135,306$153,917
Top Earner (P90)$144,150$187,276
Total Employed4909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($104,273) and Valparaiso ($120,823) actuary salaries.IndianapolisValparaisoMedian Salary$104,273$120,823Entry Level (P10)$69,650$73,617Top Earner (P90)$144,150$187,276US Median $134,160

Verdict

Valparaiso, IN offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Indianapolis.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Valparaiso is $16,550 (15.87%). Valparaiso's median is -9.94% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $74,500,Valparaiso spans $113,659. Valparaiso has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$69,650
P25$84,056
Median$104,273
P75$135,306
P90 (Top)$144,150
Valparaiso
P10 (Entry)$73,617
P25$90,405
Median$120,823
P75$153,917
P90 (Top)$187,276

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Valparaiso ($132,336 effective) pays 21.45% more than Indianapolis ($108,963 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $104,273
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $108,963
Valparaiso
Nominal: $120,823
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $132,336

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Valparaiso if…

  • Higher median salary ($120,823/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($187,276)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,336)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Indianapolis grew 1.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Valparaiso over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+1.7%

$99,370 (2019) → $101,040 (2025)

Valparaiso, IN

+13.0%

$103,568 (2024) → $117,077 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Indianapolis or Valparaiso?

Valparaiso has a higher median actuary salary at $120,823/year, compared to Indianapolis at $104,273/year — a difference of $16,550 (15.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Valparaiso?

Indianapolis actuarys earn $50.13/hr while Valparaiso hygienists earn $58.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Valparaiso as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Valparaiso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $108,963, Valparaiso = $132,336), job availability (490 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Indianapolis vs Valparaiso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $69,650 in Indianapolis and $73,617 in Valparaiso. The Valparaiso 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