Actuary Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $100,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $100,321/year (≈ $48.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $104,998 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.8% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, the compensation for actuaries reflects a diverse pay scale, with a median annual salary estimated at $100,321 for 2026. This figure sits notably below the national median of $134,160, marking a 25.22% difference. The salary landscape for actuaries in this city ranges widely from a lower boundary of $64,521 to an upper echelon of $170,043. Such compensation is extracted from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and illustrates the city's unique position within the broader actuarial market, where the demand for specialized skills continues to shape wage growth and job opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,521 | $31.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,651 | $38.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,321 | $48.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,038 | $70.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,043 | $81.76 |
Median Salary Position
25.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,522 (2026 est.). At $100,321, the local median is 25.22% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Rapids Actuary Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $100,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $125,088 | -19.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -25.22% less |
Actuarys in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $100,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.22% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 19.80% below the Michigan state average of $125,088.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $100,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,998 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,110
2025 BLS Actual
$97,210
2026 Current Est.
$100,321
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,531 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 4.4% from $93,110 (2019) to $97,210 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,531 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,421 (11.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $64,521 – $80,651 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,651 – $100,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,321 – $146,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,038 – $170,043 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Grand Rapids
With approximately 60 actuaries employed in Grand Rapids, the local job market provides a stable foundation for professionals seeking roles in various industries. The cost of living index in this city stands at 95.546, which is below the national average, allowing actuaries to enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power. Top-paying employers in the region include major life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife as well as consulting giants like Mercer and Aon, which tend to reward credentials such as FSA over ASA. Exam progression plays a pivotal role in salary development, as each additional exam can increase compensation by $3,000 to $8,000. Aspiring actuaries should focus on gaining specialized skills in areas like predictive analytics and actively pursue opportunities in consulting to maximize their earning potential in the competitive Grand Rapids market.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 $97,210 for actuariesin the Grand Rapids 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