Actuary Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $56.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Waterloo, IA runs $56.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,036 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,824 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waterloo, the projected median hourly rate for actuaries in 2026 is $56.75, which is notably below the national median of $64.50 per hour. This discrepancy indicates that local opportunities may vary in their allure, especially for part-time or per-diem work in typical settings like insurance companies or consulting firms. An actuary working three days a week can expect to earn around $4,560 monthly, making it a compelling option for those balancing other commitments or pursuing advanced credentials like the FSA. Hourly earnings in Waterloo for this profession range from $35.24 at the lower end to $87.96 for top-tier professionals, reflecting a diverse range of opportunities from entry-level positions to high-level consulting roles.
About the Waterloo 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) | $35.24 | $281.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.92 | $343.37 |
| Median (P50) | $56.75 | $454.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.64 | $581.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.96 | $703.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $56.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.75/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $118,039 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,100. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,269.99 | $9,837 | $118,039 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,361.99 | $5,902 | $70,824 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $907.99 | $3,935 | $47,216 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Waterloo) | $56.75 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $118,036 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.02% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.70% below the Iowa state average of $121,311.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.75/hr = $70,824/year (purchasing power: $78,345).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,039/year (purchasing power: $130,574).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Waterloo grew 20.0% from $45.83/hr (2019) to $54.99/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.57/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Focusing on part-time potential, a three-day work schedule translates to approximately $54,720 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart that makes about $118,036 a year based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. While per-diem or agency roles for actuaries are not typical at junior levels, more experienced professionals—especially those with FSA or FCAS certifications—can charge $250 to $500 per hour for specialized consulting or expert witness services. In Waterloo, the nature of employment influences hourly rates significantly, with life insurance companies like Prudential or MetLife often offering stability and benefits, whereas consulting firms such as Mercer or Aon might compensate more generously but with fewer perks. Actuarial professionals should consider their priorities, as lower rates could compensate for health benefits, while higher ones may not. Negotiating effectively is crucial; leveraging specific skill sets or credentials can yield better hourly rates, tailored to the local market’s demand dynamics.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for actuaries in Waterloo in 2026?
How much do part-time actuaries make in Waterloo?
Are actuaries in Waterloo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time actuary make per year in Waterloo?
Do actuaries earn more per hour working part-time in Waterloo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 Waterloo. 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 Waterloo 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