Actuary Salary in Yankton, SD: $101,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Yankton, SD earns a median $101,482/year (≈ $48.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Yankton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $109,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Yankton, South Dakota, actuaries can expect to earn a median annual salary of $101,482 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $134,160. The salary range reflects both entry-level and experienced positions, with compensation starting at $65,229 (P10) and reaching up to $155,160 (P90). These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that while there is potential for significant earnings, local salaries fall below the national average by 24.36%. This market shows a promising growth rate of 3.20% annually, implying some stability in job opportunities and potential salary increases over time for those pursuing careers in this field.
About the Yankton Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,229 | $31.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,849 | $37.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,482 | $48.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,933 | $61.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,160 | $74.59 |
Median Salary Position
24.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yankton
In Yankton, SD, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,931 (2026 est.). At $101,482, the local median is 24.36% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yankton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yankton Actuary Pay Compares
Yankton median: $101,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yankton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $105,600 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -24.36% less |
Actuarys in Yankton, SD earn a median of $101,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.36% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.90% below the South Dakota state average of $105,600.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yankton 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.
Yankton, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $101,482 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,356 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,958
2025 BLS Actual
$98,335
2026 Current Est.
$101,482
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Yankton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,958 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,986 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,105 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,225 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,771 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yankton metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $81,958 (2019) to $98,335 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,771 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yankton 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) | $65,229 – $77,849 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,849 – $101,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,482 – $127,933 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,933 – $155,160 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Yankton
Despite a modest employment base of only four actuaries in the Yankton area, the low cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 92.8, can enhance the overall purchasing power of actuaries in this city. Employers such as life insurance companies and consulting firms within the region tend to offer the highest pay, with firms like Prudential and Mercer leading the market. The variance in salaries often relates directly to exam progress; each passed exam can lead to a pay increase of $3k-$8k. Thus, achieving Fellow status (FSA or FCAS) can substantially raise earning potential. Those looking to maximize their actuary pay in Yankton should focus on advancing their credentials and gaining expertise in high-demand areas like predictive analytics and data science, which are becoming increasingly valuable within the industry.
More salary data for Yankton, SD:
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 $98,335 for actuariesin the Yankton 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 Yankton 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