Actuary Hourly Pay in Watertown, SD: $48.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Watertown, SD runs $48.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,514 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,906 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, South Dakota, actuaries can expect an hourly median pay of $48.80, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $64.50. This wage structure reflects the local job market, where hourly rates are typically derived from annual salaries. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to an annual income that can be quite competitive when considering flexibility in work hours. Actuaries in Watertown find themselves in a diverse set of environments, including insurance companies and consulting firms, which can greatly influence hourly earnings. The hourly pay range is projected to vary from $31.39 at the entry-level up to $75.65 for top earners, allowing for a healthy earning potential that reflects both experience and specialization.
About the Watertown 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) | $31.39 | $251.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.46 | $299.69 |
| Median (P50) | $48.80 | $390.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.47 | $499.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.65 | $605.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $48.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.80/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, SD can expect to earn approximately $101,511 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,564. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,952.13 | $8,459 | $101,511 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.28 | $5,076 | $60,906 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.85 | $3,384 | $40,604 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Watertown) | $48.80 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Watertown, SD earn a median of $101,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.33% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $105,524.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.80/hr = $60,906/year (purchasing power: $65,632).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,511/year (purchasing power: $109,387).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Watertown grew 20.0% from $39.41/hr (2019) to $47.29/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.36/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Considering part-time opportunities, an actuary in Watertown working 24 hours a week would generate approximately $60,703 annually, compared to full-time workers earning closer to $101,514 each year. Per-diem actuary pay in Watertown is an interesting aspect of this profession; while junior actuaries may rarely engage in such work, more experienced professionals can see consulting contracts that necessitate billing between $250 and $500 per hour. In terms of employer variety, hourly rates fluctuate across sectors such as life insurance, health insurance, property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and consulting firms. Actuaries may choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for employer-sponsored benefits, which can significantly impact overall compensation. Negotiating hourly rates effectively can be crucial; demonstrating additional qualifications and skills in predictive analytics can justify higher pay, particularly within firms looking for specialized capabilities amidst a competitive job market in Watertown, SD.
More salary data for Watertown, 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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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