Actuary Salary in Mason City, IA: $114,823 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Mason City, IA earns a median $114,823/year (≈ $55.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $127,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mason City, IA, the compensation for actuaries reflects a competitive yet localized market, with a projected median annual salary of $114,823 for 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $134,160, representing a difference of 14.41% that highlights the nuances of the regional job market. The salary range for actuaries in this area spans from $72,173 at the 10th percentile to $177,977 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while there are opportunities for high earnings, entry-level positions may start at a notably lower rate. The estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for local cost of living factors, which adds context to the salary dynamics within Mason City’s economy.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,173 | $34.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,192 | $41.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,823 | $55.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,974 | $70.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,977 | $85.56 |
Median Salary Position
14.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,804 (2026 est.). At $114,823, the local median is 14.41% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Actuary Pay Compares
Mason City median: $114,823/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,250 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -14.41% less |
Actuarys in Mason City, IA earn a median of $114,823 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.41% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $121,250.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $114,823 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,733
2025 BLS Actual
$111,263
2026 Current Est.
$114,823
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,733 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,637 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,561 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,704 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,704 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,263 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,823 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $92,733 (2019) to $111,263 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,765 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $72,173 – $87,192 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,192 – $114,823 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,823 – $146,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,974 – $177,977 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Mason City
Examining the job market, Mason City employs four actuaries, which suggests a niche yet stable demand for actuarial expertise. The local cost-of-living index, set at 90.4, indicates that everyday expenses are below the national average, giving residents more purchasing power despite the lower salary figures. Major employers in the area, such as health insurance giants like UnitedHealth and property and casualty carriers like State Farm, typically offer favorable packages for credentialed professionals. Pay disparities arise as actuaries progress in their careers, particularly with each exam passed commanding an incremental increase in salary. Those seeking to optimize their earning potential in Mason City should focus on advancing their credentials, particularly moving from ASA to FSA status, as well as exploring roles in areas such as consulting where higher compensation awaits those with robust qualifications.
More salary data for Mason City, 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 $111,263 for actuariesin the Mason City 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
Salary data for Mason City 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