Actuary Salary in Urbandale, IA: $115,877 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Urbandale, IA earns a median $115,877/year (≈ $55.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $128,183 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Urbandale, Iowa, receive a median salary of $115,877, reflecting a local market that lags behind the national median salary of $134,160 by approximately 13.63%. Their earnings can range significantly, with the lower end at $74,425 and the upper echelon reaching $179,609, suggesting a robust pay gradient between consulting firms and insurers at the FSA level. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost indices, indicate a streamlined earning potential, closely linked to exam progression and the specific credentials held. As the industry continues to place a high value on data-driven decision-making, actuaries entering the local workforce face an evolving pay structure that rewards advanced qualifications.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,425 | $35.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,258 | $42.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,877 | $55.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,323 | $71.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,609 | $86.35 |
Median Salary Position
13.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,184 (2026 est.). At $115,877, the local median is 13.63% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Actuary Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $115,877/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $121,337 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -13.63% less |
Actuarys in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $115,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $121,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $115,877 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,183 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,584
2025 BLS Actual
$112,284
2026 Current Est.
$115,877
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,584 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,899 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,468 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,456 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,647 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,877 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $93,584 (2019) to $112,284 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,001 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $74,425 – $89,258 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,258 – $115,877 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,877 – $148,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,323 – $179,609 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Urbandale
The local job market in Urbandale consists of a modest group of 12 actuaries, which influences the overall compensation dynamics. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, actuaries here enjoy relatively favorable purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Among various employers, consulting firms like Mercer and Milliman tend to offer higher wages than traditional insurance companies such as Prudential or MetLife, highlighting the industry's ongoing compensation trends. Factors that create salary disparities include the qualifications of the actuary, including ASA and FSA designations, as well as specialized areas of expertise like property & casualty or pension consulting. To maximize earning potential in Urbandale, actuaries should focus on obtaining fellow credentials while actively engaging in study programs that enhance predictive analytics and data science skills, which are increasingly in demand.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $112,284 for actuariesin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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