Senior Actuary Salary in St. Paul, MN: $199,462 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in St. Paul, MN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $199,462/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back St. Paul's price premium (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $202,499 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Paul, experienced actuaries reach impressive earnings, with top professionals in the field potentially earning as much as $199,462 in 2026. Those in the 75th percentile can expect to see salaries around $164,718, reflecting a significant gap compared to the overall median annual salary of $128,685 for this cohort. The ability to attain top-tier pay in this market requires a combination of specialized skills and advanced credentials. High performers often engage in continuous education and exam progression, capitalizing on opportunities within specific actuarial domains such as predictive analytics, capital modeling, and enterprise risk management to enhance their value and salary potential.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in St. Paul earn between $164,718 and $199,462 per year (2026 est.). This $122,512 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The St. Paul median of $128,685 sits 4.08% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | St. Paul | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $128,685 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,718 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $199,462 | $221,983 |
In St. Paul, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in St. Paul
Advanced Certifications in Minnesota
MN actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $128,685 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by St. Paul employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in St. Paul command premium compensation, often reaching the $164,718–$199,462 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the St. Paul metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in St. Paul with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Actuaries in Minnesota who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Actuary Career & Wage Growth Path in St. Paul
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSt. Paul ranks #24 of 44 Minnesota cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $199,462).
Top 10% actuary compensation in St. Paul ($199,462) is 8.08% below the Minnesota average P90 ($216,990).
2019 BLS Actual
$173,958
2025 BLS Actual
$193,277
2026 Current Est.
$199,462
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $173,958 | Actual |
| 2020 | $176,124 | Actual |
| 2021 | $185,837 | Actual |
| 2022 | $179,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $188,074 | Actual |
| 2024 | $203,135 | Actual |
| 2025 | $193,277 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $199,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $205,845 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in St. Paul saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $173,958 in 2019 to $193,277 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.20% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $205,845 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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.
Maximizing Your Actuary Earnings in St. Paul
Compensation for senior actuaries in St. Paul varies notably among different types of employers. Life insurance companies like Prudential and Northwestern Mutual as well as health insurers such as UnitedHealth and Cigna tend to offer salaries that reflect their market demands and specialized services. Property and casualty firms, on the other hand, may have incentives for actuaries involved in reinsurance pricing. Aspiring to lead as a managing actuary or progressing toward fellowship status with the SOA or CAS can further elevate one’s compensation expectations. Furthermore, for those on the ASA-to-FSA path, advanced credentials not only validate expertise but also result in significant pay increases, as employers frequently reward exam progression with salary adjustments. In addition, the inclusion of non-salary compensation drivers—like study time benefits or signing bonuses for credential completion—can enhance the overall financial package offered to senior actuaries in MN.
More salary data for St. Paul, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in St. Paul in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in St. Paul?
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Can experienced actuaries make six figures in St. Paul?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in St. Paul?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $193,277 for actuaries in the St. Paul metro area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Paul 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