Actuary Pay

Madison vs Pleasant Prairie: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$139,661
$67.14/hr
Pleasant Prairie, WI
$119,026
$57.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIPleasant Prairie, WI
Median Salary$139,661$119,026
Hourly Rate$67.14$57.22
Entry Level (P10)$83,736$73,927
25th Percentile$106,090$89,528
75th Percentile$177,669$150,947
Top Earner (P90)$223,459$184,490
Total Employed1704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($139,661) and Pleasant Prairie ($119,026) actuary salaries.MadisonPleasant PrairieMedian Salary$139,661$119,026Entry Level (P10)$83,736$73,927Top Earner (P90)$223,459$184,490US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Pleasant Prairie is $20,635 (17.34%). 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,Pleasant Prairie spans $110,563. 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
Pleasant Prairie
P10 (Entry)$73,927
P25$89,528
Median$119,026
P75$150,947
P90 (Top)$184,490

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($143,556 effective) pays 12.65% more than Pleasant Prairie ($127,437 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $139,661
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $143,556
Pleasant Prairie
Nominal: $119,026
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $127,437

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 Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie over the same period.

Madison, WI

+24.1%

$109,010 (2019) → $135,330 (2025)

Pleasant Prairie, WI

+6.6%

$108,238 (2024) → $115,335 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Madison or Pleasant Prairie?

Madison has a higher median actuary salary at $139,661/year, compared to Pleasant Prairie at $119,026/year — a difference of $20,635 (17.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Pleasant Prairie?

Madison actuarys earn $67.14/hr while Pleasant Prairie hygienists earn $57.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Pleasant Prairie as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Pleasant Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $143,556, Pleasant Prairie = $127,437), job availability (170 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Madison vs Pleasant Prairie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $83,736 in Madison and $73,927 in Pleasant Prairie. 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