Actuary Salary in Nebraska: $116,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $116,116/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $126,903 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($123,778), Grand Island ($116,107), Hastings ($116,051).
In Nebraska, actuaries can expect an average median salary of $116,117 in 2026, which is 13.4% lower than the national median of $134,160. The highest salaries are found in Lincoln, where actuaries earn $127,739, while those in Omaha can expect around $110,558, creating a salary gap of $17,181. This difference is largely influenced by job demand, cost of living, and the concentration of industries that require actuarial services. The state of Nebraska has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that actuaries must navigate, which slightly differ from national standards. As for demand, Nebraska's job market for actuaries is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.20%, indicating a steady need for these professionals in various sectors, including insurance and risk management. Other cities showing promising salaries include Grand Island at $119,822, Hastings at $119,765, Fremont at $119,117, and Bellevue at $118,870. Collectively, there are 274 actuaries employed in the state, positioning Nebraska as a viable option for those entering the field while providing a solid career path with potential for upward mobility.
Nebraska Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $69,825 (lowest entry-level) to $197,995 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska actuaries earn 13.45% less than the national median ($-18,044/year difference).
Nebraska Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Nebraska range from $81,026 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $186,988 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $116,116. The Nebraska median is $18,044 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $55.83/hr. Approximately 274 actuarys are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$93,784
2025 BLS Actual
$112,516
2026 Current Est.
$116,116
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,784 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,691 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,351 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,666 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,516 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $93,784 (2019) to $112,516 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,048 (27.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $110,558 |
| North Platte | $114,150 |
| Papillion | $114,187 |
| La Vista | $114,306 |
| Norfolk | $114,325 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $127,739 | 91.5 | $139,605 |
| Grand Island | $119,822 | 91.5 | $130,953 |
| Hastings | $119,765 | 91.5 | $130,891 |
| Fremont | $119,117 | 91.5 | $130,183 |
| Bellevue | $118,870 | 91.5 | $129,913 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,026 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $116,116 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $186,988 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | $127,739 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $119,822 |
| 3 | Hastings | $119,765 |
| 4 | Fremont | $119,117 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $118,870 |
| 6 | Kearney | $118,211 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $117,805 |
| 8 | Columbus | $114,629 |
| 9 | Norfolk | $114,325 |
| 10 | La Vista | $114,306 |
| 11 | Papillion | $114,187 |
| 12 | North Platte | $114,150 |
| 13 | Omaha | $110,558 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Nebraska in 2026?
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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
Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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