Actuary Salary in Des Moines, WA: $142,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Des Moines, WA earns a median $142,757/year (≈ $68.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $132,921 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Moines, Washington, actuaries can anticipate a competitive median annual salary of $142,757 in 2026. This figure outpaces the national median of $134,160, reflecting a robust local market for actuaries. The projected salary range highlights that entry-level positions may start at $88,035 while more experienced professionals could earn up to $221,273 annually. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for the regional cost of living, indicate favorable conditions for those considering a career in this field. In particular, actuaries specializing in the Society of Actuaries (SOA) track may find unique opportunities in life and health sectors, as opposed to their peers in the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) track focused on property and casualty roles, which generally command different compensation levels.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,035 | $42.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,596 | $51.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,757 | $68.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,728 | $87.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,273 | $106.38 |
Median Salary Position
6.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,238 (2026 est.). At $142,757, the local median is 6.41% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Actuary Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $142,757/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $144,053 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +6.41% more |
Actuarys in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $142,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.41% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $144,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,757 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,921 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,293
2025 BLS Actual
$138,330
2026 Current Est.
$142,757
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,144 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,686 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,294 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,689 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,325 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $115,293 (2019) to $138,330 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,032 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $88,035 – $107,596 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,596 – $142,757 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,757 – $182,728 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,728 – $221,273 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Des Moines
Optimizing earnings in Des Moines is influenced by the strong local job market, characterized by only seven actuaries currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, financial realities must be taken into account, potentially impacting net take-home pay. Notably, prominent employers include major health insurance firms like UnitedHealth and Cigna, and life insurers such as Prudential and Northwestern Mutual, which reportedly offer the highest compensation packages. The disparity in actuary pay in Des Moines can often be attributed to exam progressions, where passing additional actuarial exams typically leads to salary increases of $3,000 to $8,000. Additionally, attaining Fellowship status (FSA/FCAS) can command even higher salaries, particularly in competitive consulting firms. For those looking to maximize their compensation, focusing on skills in predictive analytics and data science can be particularly beneficial given the current industry demand.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
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 $138,330 for actuariesin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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