Actuary Salary in Duluth, MN: $133,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Duluth, MN earns a median $133,270/year (≈ $64.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $135,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Duluth, Minnesota, actuaries can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $133,270, which is slightly below the national figure of $134,160. The salary landscape varies significantly, with entry-level professionals earning around $77,297, while those at the top of their game can command up to $206,569. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living differences, which is crucial in a city with a cost of living index of 98.5—indicating a slightly lower than average living expense. Within this market, actuaries' decisions to specialize in either the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) can influence potential earnings considerably, with consulting roles generally offering more lucrative opportunities compared to insurance positions.
About the Duluth Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,297 | $37.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,573 | $49.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,270 | $64.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,587 | $82.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,569 | $99.31 |
Median Salary Position
0.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,272 (2026 est.). At $133,270, the local median is 0.66% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Actuary Pay Compares
Duluth median: $133,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $132,213 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -0.66% less |
Actuarys in Duluth, MN earn a median of $133,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.80% above the Minnesota state average of $132,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth 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.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $133,270 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,299 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,632
2025 BLS Actual
$129,138
2026 Current Est.
$133,270
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,632 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,294 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,204 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,151 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,138 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,535 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $107,632 (2019) to $129,138 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,535 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,903 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $77,297 – $103,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,573 – $133,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,270 – $170,587 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,587 – $206,569 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Duluth
Duluth's job market employs around 15 actuaries, making localized job availability scarce yet competitive. Given the cost of living reality, which sits below the national average, take-home pay provides reasonable purchasing power, influencing overall satisfaction with compensation. Employers within the area span various sectors, including life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife and healthcare giants such as UnitedHealth and Cigna, which tend to pay more for specialized skills. The factors that create salary disparities include exam completion, where each passed exam may garner an additional $3,000 to $8,000, alongside the credential process from ASA to FSA. Actuaries in roles involving property and casualty insurance or in consulting firms might find the potential for higher wages more appealing. Strategic professional development, such as focusing on predictive analytics or acquiring VEE credits, can significantly enhance earning potential in Duluth.
More salary data for Duluth, 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 $129,138 for actuariesin the Duluth 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 Duluth 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