Actuary Pay

Milwaukee vs Sun Prairie: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$136,234
$65.50/hr
Sun Prairie, WI
$121,755
$58.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISun Prairie, WI
Median Salary$136,234$121,755
Hourly Rate$65.50$58.54
Entry Level (P10)$84,376$71,646
25th Percentile$98,680$96,265
75th Percentile$165,646$155,846
Top Earner (P90)$211,343$188,721
Total Employed3109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($136,234) and Sun Prairie ($121,755) actuary salaries.MilwaukeeSun PrairieMedian Salary$136,234$121,755Entry Level (P10)$84,376$71,646Top Earner (P90)$211,343$188,721US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Sun Prairie is $14,479 (11.89%). 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,Sun Prairie spans $117,075. 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
Sun Prairie
P10 (Entry)$71,646
P25$96,265
Median$121,755
P75$155,846
P90 (Top)$188,721

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($140,539 effective) pays 7.81% more than Sun Prairie ($130,359 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $136,234
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $140,539
Sun Prairie
Nominal: $121,755
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $130,359

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 Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+10.3%

$119,640 (2019) → $132,010 (2025)

Sun Prairie, WI

+6.6%

$110,720 (2024) → $117,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Milwaukee or Sun Prairie?

Milwaukee has a higher median actuary salary at $136,234/year, compared to Sun Prairie at $121,755/year — a difference of $14,479 (11.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Sun Prairie?

Milwaukee actuarys earn $65.50/hr while Sun Prairie hygienists earn $58.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Sun Prairie as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Sun Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $140,539, Sun Prairie = $130,359), job availability (310 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Milwaukee vs Sun Prairie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $84,376 in Milwaukee and $71,646 in Sun Prairie. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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