Actuary Pay

Milwaukee vs South Milwaukee: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$136,234
$65.50/hr
South Milwaukee, WI
$119,045
$57.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISouth Milwaukee, WI
Median Salary$136,234$119,045
Hourly Rate$65.50$57.23
Entry Level (P10)$84,376$74,102
25th Percentile$98,680$89,566
75th Percentile$165,646$148,423
Top Earner (P90)$211,343$184,521
Total Employed3106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($136,234) and South Milwaukee ($119,045) actuary salaries.MilwaukeeSouth MilwaukeeMedian Salary$136,234$119,045Entry Level (P10)$84,376$74,102Top Earner (P90)$211,343$184,521US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee is $17,189 (14.44%). 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 Milwaukee spans $126,967,South Milwaukee spans $110,419. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$84,376
P25$98,680
Median$136,234
P75$165,646
P90 (Top)$211,343
South Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$74,102
P25$89,566
Median$119,045
P75$148,423
P90 (Top)$184,521

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($140,539 effective) pays 10.26% more than South Milwaukee ($127,457 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $136,234
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $140,539
South Milwaukee
Nominal: $119,045
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $127,457

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose South Milwaukee if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Milwaukee grew 10.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.6% growth in South Milwaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+10.3%

$119,640 (2019) → $132,010 (2025)

South Milwaukee, WI

+6.6%

$108,255 (2024) → $115,354 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Milwaukee or South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median actuary salary at $136,234/year, compared to South Milwaukee at $119,045/year — a difference of $17,189 (14.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee actuarys earn $65.50/hr while South Milwaukee hygienists earn $57.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to South Milwaukee as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and South Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $140,539, South Milwaukee = $127,457), job availability (310 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $84,376 in Milwaukee and $74,102 in South 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