Actuary Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $130,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $130,424/year (≈ $62.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $132,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $130,424 for 2026, the compensation for actuaries in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, reflects the locality's unique market dynamics. The salary range extends from $80,137 at the 10th percentile to $202,157 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a significant disparity tied to experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest that professionals can expect gradual salary growth, influenced by the local employment of eight actuaries. This growth, projected at an annual rate of 3.20%, indicates a healthy demand for actuarial talent in Cottage Grove's market, particularly as businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,137 | $38.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,679 | $46.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,424 | $62.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,232 | $79.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,157 | $97.19 |
Median Salary Position
2.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,020 (2026 est.). At $130,424, the local median is 2.78% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Actuary Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $130,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $132,142 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -2.78% less |
Actuarys in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $130,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.78% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $132,142.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $130,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,410 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,333
2025 BLS Actual
$126,380
2026 Current Est.
$130,424
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,333 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,938 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,658 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,598 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $105,333 (2019) to $126,380 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,598 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,265 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $80,137 – $97,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,679 – $130,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,424 – $166,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,232 – $202,157 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Cottage Grove
Analyzing the job market for actuaries in Cottage Grove, the environment appears favorable, with eight actuaries currently employed. Despite the below-average cost of living index of 98.5, which enhances overall purchasing power, the need for certification progression remains paramount for maximizing income. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include prominent firms in life insurance and consulting, such as Prudential, MetLife, and Mercer, where credentials like ASA or FSA can significantly increase pay. Each passed exam typically translates into a salary increase ranging from $3,000 to $8,000, positioning credentialed professionals favorably. Aspiring actuaries should focus on enhancing their exam progression while developing skills in predictive analytics to stand out among their peers and secure the best actuary pay in Cottage Grove, MN.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 $126,380 for actuariesin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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