Actuary Pay

Middleton vs Milwaukee: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Middleton, WI
$115,850
$55.70/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$136,234
$65.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddleton, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$115,850$136,234
Hourly Rate$55.70$65.50
Entry Level (P10)$76,625$84,376
25th Percentile$90,442$98,680
75th Percentile$148,288$165,646
Top Earner (P90)$179,568$211,343
Total Employed6310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middleton ($115,850) and Milwaukee ($136,234) actuary salaries.MiddletonMilwaukeeMedian Salary$115,850$136,234Entry Level (P10)$76,625$84,376Top Earner (P90)$179,568$211,343US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Middleton and Milwaukee is $20,384 (17.60%). Milwaukee's median is +1.55% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middleton spans $102,943,Milwaukee spans $126,967. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Middleton
P10 (Entry)$76,625
P25$90,442
Median$115,850
P75$148,288
P90 (Top)$179,568
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$84,376
P25$98,680
Median$136,234
P75$165,646
P90 (Top)$211,343

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($140,539 effective) pays 13.30% more than Middleton ($124,036 effective).

Middleton
Nominal: $115,850
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $124,036
Milwaukee
Nominal: $136,234
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $140,539

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middleton if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,234/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($211,343)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,539)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Middleton grew 6.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Middleton, WI

+6.6%

$105,350 (2024) → $112,258 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+10.3%

$119,640 (2019) → $132,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Middleton or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median actuary salary at $136,234/year, compared to Middleton at $115,850/year — a difference of $20,384 (17.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middleton and Milwaukee?

Middleton actuarys earn $55.70/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $65.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middleton to Milwaukee as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middleton and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middleton = $124,036, Milwaukee = $140,539), job availability (6 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Middleton vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $76,625 in Middleton and $84,376 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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