Actuary Hourly Pay in Ottumwa, IA: $54.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Ottumwa, IA runs $54.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,841 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Ottumwa's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,707 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ottumwa, IA, the projected hourly pay for actuaries is set at $54.25, which is notably lower than the national median of $64.50. This difference highlights the regional pay scale's sensitivity, particularly in a city where many actuaries may work part-time or on a per-diem basis. For those only committing to 24 hours a week, they can expect to take home approximately $42,420 annually, which might appeal to those balancing exams or other commitments. The hourly range for actuaries in the area spans from $36.46 at the entry-level to about $84.09 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting a typical structure for actuarial roles in various settings such as insurance pricing departments, consulting firms, and remote modeling positions. Given the local cost of living index of 90.4, the compensation dynamics in Ottumwa may appeal to those preferring a more moderate workload.
About the Ottumwa 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) | $36.46 | $291.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.78 | $342.21 |
| Median (P50) | $54.25 | $434.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.44 | $555.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.09 | $672.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ottumwa
Based on $54.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.25/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ottumwa, IA can expect to earn approximately $112,845 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,103. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ottumwa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ottumwa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,170.09 | $9,404 | $112,845 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,302.05 | $5,642 | $67,707 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $868.04 | $3,761 | $45,138 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Ottumwa) | $54.25 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $112,841 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $121,334.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.25/hr = $67,707/year (purchasing power: $74,897).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,845/year (purchasing power: $124,828).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Ottumwa grew 20.0% from $43.82/hr (2019) to $52.57/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.99/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 Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa
For part-time actuaries working three days a week, the earning potential can significantly influence career choices, especially when evaluating full-time versus flexible roles. Contract or per-diem actuarial work, while relatively uncommon at the junior level, offers distinct opportunities for seasoned actuaries—particularly Fellows (FSA/FCAS) who can command higher rates in consulting engagements, often billing $250 to $500 per hour. With local employers including prominent insurers like UnitedHealth and Prudential, actuaries need to understand how hourly rates can vary substantially based on their employer. While higher hourly rates are enticing, roles that offer comprehensive health benefits may require accepting a lower pay scale. Actuaries should strategically negotiate their pay based on the potential for exam progression; each passed exam can translate to significant pay raises. Understanding these market dynamics is vital for actuaries eyeing career advancement in Ottumwa.
More salary data for Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa. 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 Ottumwa 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