Actuary Pay

Madison vs Oak Creek: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$139,661
$67.14/hr
Oak Creek, WI
$120,082
$57.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIOak Creek, WI
Median Salary$139,661$120,082
Hourly Rate$67.14$57.73
Entry Level (P10)$83,736$77,840
25th Percentile$106,090$92,930
75th Percentile$177,669$153,706
Top Earner (P90)$223,459$186,127
Total Employed1705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($139,661) and Oak Creek ($120,082) actuary salaries.MadisonOak CreekMedian Salary$139,661$120,082Entry Level (P10)$83,736$77,840Top Earner (P90)$223,459$186,127US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Oak Creek is $19,579 (16.30%). 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 Madison spans $139,723,Oak Creek spans $108,287. Madison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$83,736
P25$106,090
Median$139,661
P75$177,669
P90 (Top)$223,459
Oak Creek
P10 (Entry)$77,840
P25$92,930
Median$120,082
P75$153,706
P90 (Top)$186,127

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($143,556 effective) pays 11.66% more than Oak Creek ($128,567 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $139,661
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $143,556
Oak Creek
Nominal: $120,082
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $128,567

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Oak Creek if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Madison grew 24.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.6% growth in Oak Creek over the same period.

Madison, WI

+24.1%

$109,010 (2019) → $135,330 (2025)

Oak Creek, WI

+6.6%

$109,199 (2024) → $116,359 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Madison or Oak Creek?

Madison has a higher median actuary salary at $139,661/year, compared to Oak Creek at $120,082/year — a difference of $19,579 (16.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Oak Creek?

Madison actuarys earn $67.14/hr while Oak Creek hygienists earn $57.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Oak Creek as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Oak Creek. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $143,556, Oak Creek = $128,567), job availability (170 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Madison vs Oak Creek?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $83,736 in Madison and $77,840 in Oak Creek. 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