Actuary Pay

Janesville vs Madison: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Janesville, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Janesville, WI
$121,169
$58.26/hr
Madison, WI
$139,661
$67.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJanesville, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$121,169$139,661
Hourly Rate$58.26$67.14
Entry Level (P10)$74,016$83,736
25th Percentile$90,725$106,090
75th Percentile$155,096$177,669
Top Earner (P90)$187,813$223,459
Total Employed16170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Janesville ($121,169) and Madison ($139,661) actuary salaries.JanesvilleMadisonMedian Salary$121,169$139,661Entry Level (P10)$74,016$83,736Top Earner (P90)$187,813$223,459US Median $134,160

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Janesville.

The salary gap between Janesville and Madison is $18,492 (15.26%). Madison's median is +4.10% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Janesville spans $113,797,Madison spans $139,723. Madison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Janesville
P10 (Entry)$74,016
P25$90,725
Median$121,169
P75$155,096
P90 (Top)$187,813
Madison
P10 (Entry)$83,736
P25$106,090
Median$139,661
P75$177,669
P90 (Top)$223,459

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($143,556 effective) pays 10.66% more than Janesville ($129,731 effective).

Janesville
Nominal: $121,169
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $129,731
Madison
Nominal: $139,661
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $143,556

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Janesville if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,661/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($223,459)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,556)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Janesville grew 6.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.1% growth in Madison over the same period.

Janesville, WI

+6.6%

$110,187 (2024) → $117,412 (2025)

Madison, WI

+24.1%

$109,010 (2019) → $135,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Janesville or Madison?

Madison has a higher median actuary salary at $139,661/year, compared to Janesville at $121,169/year — a difference of $18,492 (15.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Janesville and Madison?

Janesville actuarys earn $58.26/hr while Madison hygienists earn $67.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Janesville to Madison as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Janesville and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Janesville = $129,731, Madison = $143,556), job availability (16 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Janesville vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $74,016 in Janesville and $83,736 in Madison. The Madison 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