Actuary Pay

Mesa vs Peoria: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Mesa, AZ and Peoria, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mesa, AZ
$142,312
$68.42/hr
Peoria, AZ
$135,055
$64.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMesa, AZPeoria, AZ
Median Salary$142,312$135,055
Hourly Rate$68.42$64.93
Entry Level (P10)$86,782$78,332
25th Percentile$107,053$97,738
75th Percentile$182,159$172,870
Top Earner (P90)$220,583$209,335
Total Employed9833
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mesa ($142,312) and Peoria ($135,055) actuary salaries.MesaPeoriaMedian Salary$142,312$135,055Entry Level (P10)$86,782$78,332Top Earner (P90)$220,583$209,335US Median $134,160

Verdict

Mesa, AZ offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Mesa and Peoria is $7,257 (5.37%). Mesa's median is +6.08% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mesa spans $133,801,Peoria spans $131,003. Mesa has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mesa
P10 (Entry)$86,782
P25$107,053
Median$142,312
P75$182,159
P90 (Top)$220,583
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$78,332
P25$97,738
Median$135,055
P75$172,870
P90 (Top)$209,335

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mesa ($144,479 effective) pays 5.37% more than Peoria ($137,112 effective).

Mesa
Nominal: $142,312
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $144,479
Peoria
Nominal: $135,055
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $137,112

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mesa if…

  • Higher median salary ($142,312/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($220,583)
  • Larger job market (98 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $144,479)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Mesa grew 13.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Mesa, AZ

+13.3%

$121,745 (2024) → $137,899 (2025)

Peoria, AZ

+13.0%

$115,767 (2024) → $130,867 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Mesa or Peoria?

Mesa has a higher median actuary salary at $142,312/year, compared to Peoria at $135,055/year — a difference of $7,257 (5.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mesa and Peoria?

Mesa actuarys earn $68.42/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $64.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mesa to Peoria as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mesa and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mesa = $144,479, Peoria = $137,112), job availability (98 vs 33 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Mesa vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $86,782 in Mesa and $78,332 in Peoria. The Mesa 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