Actuary Salary in Rapid City, SD: $106,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Rapid City, SD earns a median $106,797/year (≈ $51.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $115,083 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the actuary salary in Rapid City, South Dakota, is projected to reach a median of $106,797, which is notably lower than the national median of $134,160. The local salary range reflects varying career stages and specialties, with compensation anticipated to start at $64,389 (P10) and reach up to $165,535 (P90). These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, showcase the diverse earning potential within this market. The demand for actuaries remains steady, suggesting a competitive but accessible environment for professionals at different points in their career development in Rapid City.
About the Rapid City Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,389 | $30.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,328 | $38.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,797 | $51.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,700 | $65.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,535 | $79.59 |
Median Salary Position
20.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,146 (2026 est.). At $106,797, the local median is 20.4% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rapid City Actuary Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $106,797/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $105,530 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -20.40% less |
Actuarys in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $106,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.40% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $105,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $106,797 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,083 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,251
2025 BLS Actual
$103,485
2026 Current Est.
$106,797
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,251 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,569 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $86,251 (2019) to $103,485 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,963 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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) | $64,389 – $79,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,328 – $106,797 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,797 – $136,700 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,700 – $165,535 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Rapid City
Currently, there are 16 actuaries employed in Rapid City, indicating a small but vital sector for this profession. The cost of living in the city is below the national average, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 92.8, which enhances the purchasing power of actuaries' salaries. Employers such as Prudential and MetLife in the life insurance sphere, and firms like UnitedHealth and Cigna in health insurance, generally offer higher compensation. The variances in pay can be attributed to multiple factors, including exam progression where each passed exam can increase base pay significantly, along with the level of credentials (ASA vs. FSA/FCAS). To maximize pay, professionals in Rapid City should focus on completing exams to advance in their careers while considering opportunities in high-paying sectors like consulting, which often rewards FSAs and FCAS at a premium compared to traditional insurance roles.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $103,485 for actuariesin the Rapid City 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 Rapid City 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