Actuary Salary in Pontiac, MI: $120,742 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Pontiac, MI earns a median $120,742/year (≈ $58.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Pontiac's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $129,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the actuarial profession in Pontiac, Michigan, commands a median annual salary of $120,742, reflecting a local market that offers compensation slightly below the national median of $134,160. Salary ranges for actuaries in Pontiac highlight the diverse opportunities available, with compensation fluctuating between $73,492 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $187,150 for those at the 90th percentile. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments indicate that while Pontiac’s salaries are competitive, they reflect the locality's specific economic conditions. Actuaries operating at the Fellowship (FSA) level, particularly within consulting firms like Milliman or Mercer, may experience better pay prospects compared to those in traditional insurance roles, creating a distinct consulting versus insurer pay gradient.
About the Pontiac Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,492 | $35.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,208 | $43.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,742 | $58.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,549 | $74.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,150 | $89.98 |
Median Salary Position
10% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pontiac
In Pontiac, MI, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,658 (2026 est.). At $120,742, the local median is 10% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pontiac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pontiac Actuary Pay Compares
Pontiac median: $120,742/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pontiac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $124,992 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -10.00% less |
Actuarys in Pontiac, MI earn a median of $120,742 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.40% below the Michigan state average of $124,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pontiac has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pontiac, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $120,742 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,552 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,513
2025 BLS Actual
$116,998
2026 Current Est.
$120,742
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Pontiac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,513 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,925 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,308 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,589 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,998 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,998 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,742 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,606 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pontiac metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $97,513 (2019) to $116,998 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,606 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,093 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pontiac 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) | $73,492 – $90,208 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,208 – $120,742 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,742 – $154,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,549 – $187,150 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Pontiac
The local job market for actuaries in Pontiac is relatively modest, with only 12 actuaries currently employed in the area. Combined with a cost-of-living index of 93.2, this factors into the take-home purchasing power for these professionals. Employers such as UnitedHealth and Prudential provide some of the highest compensation, emphasizing the need for skills in areas like predictive analytics. The noticeable spread between salaries is influenced by credentials and specialty. For instance, advancing from ASA to FSA often leads to significant pay jumps, especially in consulting roles where firms reward exam passage with substantial salary increases. To maximize earnable actuary pay in Pontiac, professionals should focus on continuous skill development, targeted networking, and aligning their career trajectories with high-demand sectors within the actuarial field.
More salary data for Pontiac, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can actuaries make $100K in Pontiac?
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Related Pages
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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 $116,998 for actuariesin the Pontiac 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 Pontiac 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