Prior Lake vs St. Paul: Actuary Salary (2026)
Compare actuary salaries between Prior Lake, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Prior Lake, MN | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $129,336▲ | $128,685 |
| Hourly Rate | $62.18▲ | $61.87 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,523▲ | $76,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,527 | $96,019▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $163,648 | $164,718▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $200,471▲ | $199,462 |
| Total Employed | 7 | 80▲ |
Verdict
Prior Lake, MN offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Paul.
The salary gap between Prior Lake and St. Paul is $651 (0.51%). Prior Lake's median is -3.60% compared to the US national median of $134,160.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Prior Lake spans $122,948,St. Paul spans $122,512. Prior Lake has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Prior Lake ($131,306 effective) pays 0.51% more than St. Paul ($130,645 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Prior Lake if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($129,336/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($200,471)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,306)
- ✓You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle
Choose St. Paul if…
- ✓Larger job market (80 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Prior Lake grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -4.9% growth in St. Paul over the same period.
Prior Lake, MN
$123,398 (2024) → $125,326 (2025)
St. Paul, MN
$131,055 (2024) → $124,695 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Prior Lake, MN
St. Paul, MN
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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