Actuary Salary in Des Moines, IA: $134,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Des Moines, IA earns a median $134,717/year (≈ $64.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $146,909 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.1% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Des Moines, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $134,717, which slightly outpaces the national median of $134,160. The salary range spans from $84,603 at the 10th percentile to $179,031 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse range of compensation opportunities within the profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a robust market for actuaries in the area. Notably, the average pay reflects the competitive nature of the local job market, particularly as employers value experience and credential progression linked to the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS).
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,603 | $40.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,870 | $49.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,717 | $64.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,207 | $76.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,031 | $86.07 |
Median Salary Position
0.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,428 (2026 est.). At $134,717, the local median is 0.42% above the national median of $134,160.
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At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be above the median
How Des Moines Actuary Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $134,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,258 | +11.10% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +0.42% more |
Actuarys in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $134,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 11.10% above the Iowa state average of $121,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $134,717 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,909 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,750
2025 BLS Actual
$130,540
2026 Current Est.
$134,717
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Des Moines (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 | $104,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,028 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 32.2% from $98,750 (2019) to $130,540 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,278 (40.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,603 – $102,870 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,870 – $134,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,717 – $159,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,207 – $179,031 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Des Moines
The job market in Des Moines supports around 400 employed actuaries, providing a solid foundation for career growth in this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 91.701, professionals in the area enjoy an improved purchasing power compared to the national average, making the local actuary pay quite attractive. Major employers include life insurance giants like Prudential and MetLife, and health insurance companies such as UnitedHealth and Cigna, which are known for offering competitive salaries and benefits. Exam progression significantly influences earnings, as actuaries can expect pay raises with each exam passed—typically between $3,000 to $8,000 per exam. Specialty areas can further drive disparities in pay, with property & casualty reinsurance positions often generating higher compensation than roles in life or health insurance. For those in the market, targeting firms that prioritize advanced credentials like FSA or FCAS, and developing skills in predictive analytics or data science, can yield substantial benefits in salary negotiations in Des Moines.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $130,540 for actuariesin the Des Moines metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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