Senior Actuary Salary in Fargo, ND: $176,818 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Fargo, ND — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $176,818/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Fargo's price premium (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $192,193 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 2026, experienced actuaries in Fargo, North Dakota can anticipate a median annual salary of $114,076, with the potential for top earners reaching up to $176,818. This disparity highlights the substantial experience premium available to those with over seven years in the field, where advanced knowledge and specialty skills significantly affect compensation. For actuaries aiming for the upper echelons of this market, the path to achieving such high salaries involves not only technical expertise but also specialization in prominent areas such as predictive analytics, reinsurance pricing, and capital modeling. Navigating the requirements of professional credentials, like the ASA or FSA, along with a proven history in advanced actuarial roles, showcases what it takes for actuaries in Fargo to strive for top-tier compensation.
About the Fargo Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Fargo earn between $146,018 and $176,818 per year (2026 est.). This $110,653 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Fargo median of $114,076 sits 14.97% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Fargo | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $114,076 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,018 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $176,818 | $221,983 |
In Fargo, 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 Fargo
Advanced Certifications in North Dakota
ND actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $114,076 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Fargo employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Fargo command premium compensation, often reaching the $146,018–$176,818 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Fargo metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Fargo 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 North Dakota 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 Fargo
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedFargo ranks #1 of 8 North Dakota cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $176,818).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Fargo ($176,818) is 3.64% above the North Dakota average P90 ($170,615).
2019 BLS Actual
$154,209
2025 BLS Actual
$171,335
2026 Current Est.
$176,818
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $154,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $156,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $164,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $158,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $166,723 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,818 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $182,476 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Fargo saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $154,209 in 2019 to $171,335 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 $182,476 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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 Fargo
The senior actuary pay in ND varies significantly based on specialization and employer type, with those focused on life and annuity or property and casualty often commanding the highest premiums. Large firms like MetLife or Prudential typically offer salaries that can exceed the local averages, while consulting firms like Mercer and Aon may pay even more for experienced FSAs/FCAS, driven by their need for robust analytical skills. The actuarial hierarchy emphasizes the importance of credentials; to ascend from an ASA to an FSA generally requires five to eight years of rigorous exam preparation and completion, rewarding candidates with heightened earning potential. Further, actuaries who continuously add qualifications find that exam progression fundamentally drives their salary growth in Fargo, particularly in dynamic areas needing advanced statistical and data science capabilities. Non-salary compensation—aspects like paid study time, signing bonuses for credential completion, and additional benefits—plays a significant role in enticing top talent in this evolving landscape of actuarial opportunities.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Fargo in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Fargo?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Fargo?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Fargo?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Fargo?
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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 $171,335 for actuaries in the Fargo 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 Fargo 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