Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Iowa City, IA: $70,060 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Iowa City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,060 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Iowa City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,500 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,794) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Iowa City is a promising market for recent graduates looking to start their careers as actuaries. The projected entry-level actuary salary in Iowa City for 2026 begins at approximately $70,060, which is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $120,794. This initial salary sets the stage for a growth trajectory that sees potential upward movement to about $87,440 as new actuaries gain experience and assume more responsibilities within their roles. The market's 3.20% annual growth rate reflects a healthy demand for actuarial professionals, indicating that new grads can expect to make significant financial progress during their first few years, closing the gap between entry-level pay and the median.
About the Iowa City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Iowa City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
Entry-level actuarys in Iowa City, IA typically start between $70,060 and $87,440 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,170 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,794 — 9.96% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Iowa of $45,000 represents just 64.23% of the starting actuary pay ($70,060/year) in Iowa City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Iowa City
- 1Research the Iowa City market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,060 to $87,440, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Iowa City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Iowa City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Iowa City's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Iowa City is $117,170 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,060, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,230.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,042
2025 BLS Actual
$67,888
2026 Current Est.
$70,060
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,042 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,053 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,659 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,666 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,060 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,302 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Iowa City, IA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,042 in 2019 to $67,888 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,302. New graduates entering the Iowa City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Iowa City
For aspiring actuaries, several leading employers in Iowa City actively seek to hire new graduates, including well-known life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, as well as health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer. These organizations typically have structured programs that assist with study time for actuarial exams, allowing new graduates to build their credentials while gaining valuable work experience. Attaining professional designations, such as an Associate (ASA) or a Fellow (FSA), significantly influences starting pay, with each passed exam adding between $3,000 and $8,000 to base salaries. Given that actuaries in consulting roles tend to earn higher salaries compared to those in traditional insurer settings, focusing on gaining consultancy experience can enhance earning potential. In the initial years, actuaries have realistic growth expectations, particularly those who take advantage of VEE credits and embrace emerging skills in predictive analytics and data science.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Iowa City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Iowa City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov