Actuary Hourly Pay in Columbus, NE: $55.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Columbus, NE runs $55.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,629 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,776 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Columbus offers a competitive actuary hourly pay of $55.11, which falls below the national median of $64.50. This rate provides a solid income for professionals in part-time roles or per-diem positions, allowing for flexible scheduling in various settings such as insurance company actuarial pricing departments, consulting firm client engagements, or remote actuarial modeling tasks. Across the hourly spectrum, entry-level actuaries can expect to earn around $37.37, while seasoned actuaries at the top of their field may command as much as $85.42 per hour. It is important to note that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the ongoing demand for skilled actuaries in Columbus, NE.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.37 | $298.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.69 | $349.56 |
| Median (P50) | $55.11 | $440.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.86 | $550.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.42 | $683.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $55.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.11/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, NE can expect to earn approximately $114,626 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,131. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,204.35 | $9,552 | $114,626 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,322.61 | $5,731 | $68,776 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $881.74 | $3,821 | $45,851 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Columbus) | $55.11 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Columbus, NE earn a median of $114,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $122,730.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.11/hr = $68,776/year (purchasing power: $75,165).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,626/year (purchasing power: $125,275).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Columbus grew 20.0% from $44.51/hr (2019) to $53.40/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.87/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Examining the earning potential for part-time actuaries, those working three days a week (averaging 24 hours) would take home approximately $68,376 annually, compared to full-time colleagues. While per-diem work is rare among junior actuaries, experienced professionals in fee-for-service (FSA and FCAS) roles can charge significantly higher rates, often between $250 and $500 per hour. Established practitioners serving as expert witnesses might bill even more, with rates ranging from $400 to $800 per hour in litigation contexts. Salaries can vary depending on the type of employer; firms in life insurance, health insurance, property and casualty, reinsurance, and consulting present differing pay scales. A balance often exists between hourly rates and benefits—some may prefer lower hourly rates with health insurance, while others might opt for freelance work without benefits for the higher hourly pay. In Columbus, it’s prudent for hourly workers to negotiate based on specific skill sets, such as expertise in predictive analytics, to secure favorable compensation.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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
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 Columbus. 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 Columbus 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