Actuary Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $58.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Iowa City, IA runs $58.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $64.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,472 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Iowa City, IA earn a median hourly pay of $58.07, which is notably lower than the national median of $64.50. This discrepancy means that those considering a part-time schedule, such as working three days a week, might expect to earn around $27,000 annually for a 24-hour workweek, which can be a viable option for those interested in balancing work with other priorities. Additionally, per-diem actuarial opportunities may be less common at junior levels, but experienced actuaries can command significantly higher hourly rates, particularly in client-facing roles at insurance companies, consulting firms, or pension meetings. With an hourly range spanning from approximately $33.68 for entry-level positions to as much as $90.01 for top earners, the actuarial field in Iowa City remains competitive, even if it trails behind the national averages.
About the Iowa City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.68 | $269.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.04 | $336.35 |
| Median (P50) | $58.07 | $464.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.33 | $594.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.01 | $720.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $58.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.07/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $120,787 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,685. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,322.83 | $10,066 | $120,787 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,393.70 | $6,039 | $72,472 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $929.13 | $4,026 | $48,315 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Iowa City) | $58.07 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $120,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.96% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $121,279.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.07/hr = $72,472/year (purchasing power: $80,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,787/year (purchasing power: $133,614).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Iowa City grew 20.0% from $46.90/hr (2019) to $56.27/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Iowa City
Understanding compensation dynamics is crucial in this field, especially for those pursuing part-time or per-diem work. A three-day workweek might yield an annual income substantially less than that of full-time counterparts. However, seasoned professionals involved in consulting often earn premium rates, with hourly billing for Fellowship-level actuaries ranging from $250 to $500, particularly in dynamics like expert testimony or litigation support. Furthermore, in Iowa City, different employer types influence pay rates. Life insurance firms and health insurers may offer stability and benefits, while consulting roles might demand a lower hourly rate for higher perceived prestige and flexible working arrangements. Particularly for those negotiating contracts, considering benefits versus hourly pay is key. Tailoring negotiations based on the unique labor market conditions in Iowa City can position actuaries favorably, ensuring they secure competitive compensation that aligns with their career goals.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Iowa City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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