Actuary Salary in North Dakota: $110,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $110,074/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $119,646 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fargo ($110,539), Grand Forks ($107,503), Bismarck ($105,370).
In 2026, actuaries in North Dakota can expect an average median salary of $110,074, significantly lower than the national median of $134,160, creating a gap of 18.0%. The highest-paying city in the state is Fargo, where actuary salaries are projected to reach $114,076, while Mandan offers the lowest at $103,108, resulting in a salary difference of $10,968. This disparity is largely driven by regional demand for actuarial services, local cost of living, and the concentration of employers in urban areas like Fargo. To practice in North Dakota, actuaries must adhere to state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which align with national standards but also consider the local market dynamics. The state's job market for actuaries shows a positive outlook, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.20%, indicating a steady demand for actuarial services. Other significant employment locations include Grand Forks at $110,943, Bismarck at $108,742, West Fargo at $108,420, and Minot at $108,342. These figures reflect a gradually expanding field where actuaries can find promising career opportunities, particularly in metropolitan areas.
North Dakota Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $64,487 (lowest entry-level) to $176,818 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota actuaries earn 17.95% less than the national median ($-24,086/year difference).
North Dakota Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in North Dakota range from $66,612 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $170,615 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $110,074. The North Dakota median is $24,086 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $52.92/hr. Approximately 95 actuarys are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,898
2025 BLS Actual
$106,661
2026 Current Est.
$110,074
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,898 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,097 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,974 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,661 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,597 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $88,898 (2019) to $106,661 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,597 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,699 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $103,108 |
| Williston | $105,269 |
| Dickinson | $107,872 |
| Minot | $108,342 |
| West Fargo | $108,420 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $114,076 | 92 | $123,996 |
| Grand Forks | $110,943 | 92 | $120,590 |
| Bismarck | $108,742 | 92 | $118,198 |
| West Fargo | $108,420 | 92 | $117,848 |
| Minot | $108,342 | 92 | $117,763 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $66,612 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $110,074 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $170,615 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $114,076 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $110,943 |
| 3 | Bismarck | $108,742 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $108,420 |
| 5 | Minot | $108,342 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $107,872 |
| 7 | Williston | $105,269 |
| 8 | Mandan | $103,108 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
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
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 North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 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, 2-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