Actuary Pay

Madison vs Sheboygan: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$139,661
$67.14/hr
Sheboygan, WI
$119,743
$57.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WISheboygan, WI
Median Salary$139,661$119,743
Hourly Rate$67.14$57.56
Entry Level (P10)$83,736$73,464
25th Percentile$106,090$89,597
75th Percentile$177,669$153,271
Top Earner (P90)$223,459$185,602
Total Employed17011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($139,661) and Sheboygan ($119,743) actuary salaries.MadisonSheboyganMedian Salary$139,661$119,743Entry Level (P10)$83,736$73,464Top Earner (P90)$223,459$185,602US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Sheboygan is $19,918 (16.63%). 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,Sheboygan spans $112,138. 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
Sheboygan
P10 (Entry)$73,464
P25$89,597
Median$119,743
P75$153,271
P90 (Top)$185,602

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($143,556 effective) pays 11.97% more than Sheboygan ($128,204 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $139,661
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $143,556
Sheboygan
Nominal: $119,743
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $128,204

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 Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan over the same period.

Madison, WI

+24.1%

$109,010 (2019) → $135,330 (2025)

Sheboygan, WI

+6.6%

$108,889 (2024) → $116,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Madison or Sheboygan?

Madison has a higher median actuary salary at $139,661/year, compared to Sheboygan at $119,743/year — a difference of $19,918 (16.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Sheboygan?

Madison actuarys earn $67.14/hr while Sheboygan hygienists earn $57.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Sheboygan as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Sheboygan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $143,556, Sheboygan = $128,204), job availability (170 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $83,736 in Madison and $73,464 in Sheboygan. 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