Actuary Salary in Iowa: $127,583 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $127,583/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $141,132 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($130,540), West Des Moines ($128,853), Dubuque ($118,918).
In 2026, the average median salary for actuaries in Iowa is projected to be $127,583, which is about 4.9% lower than the national median of $134,160. The highest-paying city in the state is Des Moines, where actuaries can expect to earn $134,717, while the lowest is Davenport, with a projected salary of $107,545. This salary gap of $27,172 can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for actuaries, and the presence of larger insurance firms in urban centers like Des Moines. Iowa has specific state licensing requirements that actuaries must meet, including passing relevant exams and obtaining necessary certifications. The demand for actuaries in Iowa is driven by the growing insurance and financial sectors, as well as increasing complexity in risk assessment. The job market shows a positive outlook, with an annual growth rate of 3.20%, indicating a steady increase in opportunities for actuaries. The top five projected salaries across various cities include West Des Moines at $132,976, Dubuque at $122,723, Sioux City at $122,157, and Iowa City at $120,794. This diversity in salary levels reflects local economic conditions and the concentration of insurance-related jobs throughout the state.
Iowa Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $62,993 (lowest entry-level) to $206,113 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa actuaries earn 4.9% less than the national median ($-6,577/year difference).
Iowa Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Iowa range from $79,280 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $182,374 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $127,583. The Iowa median is $6,577 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $61.34/hr. Approximately 668 actuarys are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$98,750
2025 BLS Actual
$123,627
2026 Current Est.
$127,583
2019–2027 Growth
+33.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,627 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,583 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,665 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 25.2% from $98,750 (2019) to $123,627 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,665 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,915 (33.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Davenport | $107,545 |
| Fort Dodge | $111,327 |
| Johnston | $112,567 |
| Ottumwa | $112,841 |
| Muscatine | $113,269 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | $132,976 | 90.4 | $147,097 |
| Des Moines | $134,717 | 91.701 | $146,909 |
| Dubuque | $122,723 | 90.4 | $135,756 |
| Sioux City | $122,157 | 90.4 | $135,129 |
| Iowa City | $120,794 | 90.4 | $133,622 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,280 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $127,583 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $182,374 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $134,717 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $132,976 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $122,723 |
| 4 | Sioux City | $122,157 |
| 5 | Iowa City | $120,794 |
| 6 | Ames | $120,687 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $120,597 |
| 8 | Cedar Falls | $120,151 |
| 9 | Marion | $119,256 |
| 10 | Waterloo | $118,036 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $117,864 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $117,124 |
| 13 | Burlington | $116,453 |
| 14 | Waukee | $116,033 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $115,877 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $115,868 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $115,511 |
| 18 | Coralville | $115,358 |
| 19 | Mason City | $114,823 |
| 20 | North Liberty | $114,373 |
| 21 | Clinton | $113,808 |
| 22 | Muscatine | $113,269 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $112,841 |
| 24 | Johnston | $112,567 |
| 25 | Fort Dodge | $111,327 |
| 26 | Davenport | $107,545 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Compare Cities in Iowa
View all comparisons →Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Iowa?
How does Iowa actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Iowa?
How many actuaries are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for actuaries?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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