Actuary Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $48.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Spearfish, SD runs $48.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,228 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,739 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Spearfish, South Dakota, actuaries earn a median hourly rate of $48.67, which is significantly lower than the national median of $64.50. This rate offers a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time professionals in the field. Part-time actuaries working three days a week could potentially earn a competitive income, even while balancing other pursuits or educational commitments. The hourly compensation for entry-level positions starts around $29.56, while top earners can command as much as $74.18, representing a diverse earning potential within the profession. The figures are drawn from estimated annual salaries, providing an important perspective on what these hourly rates mean in the context of typical actuarial workplaces, including insurance company pricing departments and consulting firm engagements.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.56 | $236.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.09 | $312.74 |
| Median (P50) | $48.67 | $389.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.21 | $489.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.18 | $593.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $48.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.67/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $101,232 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,403. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,946.76 | $8,436 | $101,232 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,168.06 | $5,062 | $60,739 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $778.71 | $3,374 | $40,493 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Spearfish) | $48.67 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $101,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.55% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $105,556.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.67/hr = $60,739/year (purchasing power: $65,452).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,232/year (purchasing power: $109,086).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Spearfish grew 20.0% from $39.31/hr (2019) to $47.16/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.23/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 Spearfish 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 Spearfish
Considering the financial implications of working part-time, an actuary in Spearfish earning the hourly rate mentioned earlier could make approximately $61,014 annually, accounting for a 24-hour work week. This figure stands in contrast to a full-time actuary's earnings, which could inflate significantly with additional work hours. For those interested in per-diem or contract opportunities, the actuarial field has varying levels of engagement; while junior roles may not attract as many 1099 opportunities, seasoned professionals can command rates between $250 and $500 per hour for consulting work or serve as expert witnesses in litigation cases at $400 to $800 per hour. It's important to recognize that hourly rates may differ, depending on whether actuaries work for life, health, property & casualty insurance companies, or consulting firms in Spearfish. Some may choose slightly reduced hourly rates for the assurance of health benefits, while many negotiate based on experience, particular skills, and certification paths, especially as exam progression can lead to substantial pay increases per passed exam.
More salary data for Spearfish, SD:
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 Spearfish. 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 Spearfish 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