Senior Actuary Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $165,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Sioux Falls, SD — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $165,468/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Sioux Falls's price premium (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $178,306 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
With a projected median annual salary of $106,753 for experienced actuaries in Sioux Falls in 2026, the city presents an appealing landscape for seasoned professionals in the field. The top-tier earners can expect salaries reaching as high as $165,468, illustrating a significant experience premium and a compelling rationale for career advancement. While the median salary lags behind the national average of $134,160 by approximately 20.43%, the gap between top earners and the median highlights the lucrative potential for those who reach the higher echelons of this field. Achieving such compensation requires a solid foundation in actuarial principles, specialized expertise, and a commitment to exam progression—each advanced credential can add considerable value to an actuary’s earning potential.
About the Sioux Falls Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Sioux Falls earn between $136,644 and $165,468 per year (2026 est.). This $100,934 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Sioux Falls median of $106,753 sits 20.43% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Sioux Falls | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $106,753 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,644 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $165,468 | $221,983 |
In Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls
Advanced Certifications in South Dakota
SD actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $106,753 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Sioux Falls employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Sioux Falls command premium compensation, often reaching the $136,644–$165,468 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Sioux Falls metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Sioux Falls 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 South 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 Sioux Falls
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSioux Falls ranks #2 of 11 South Dakota cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $165,468).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Sioux Falls ($165,468) is 3.37% above the South Dakota average P90 ($160,072).
2019 BLS Actual
$144,311
2025 BLS Actual
$160,337
2026 Current Est.
$165,468
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,311 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,107 | Actual |
| 2021 | $154,165 | Actual |
| 2022 | $148,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $164,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,763 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Sioux Falls saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $144,311 in 2019 to $160,337 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 $170,763 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls
Focusing on specific specializations can further enhance senior actuary pay in SD, particularly within life and annuity, health, and property & casualty sectors. For example, actuaries working at leading life insurance firms like Prudential or consulting powerhouses such as Milliman see varied compensation benchmarks, whereby those in predictive analytics or capital modeling roles may command higher salaries. Notably, employers often differentiate pay scales based on sector, with consulting firms offering premium compensations for FSAs or FCAS. Progressing through the ASA-to-FSA timeline typically spans five to eight years, making the exam journey a vital driver of salary escalation. Moreover, actuaries with advanced qualifications like the Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) will find themselves at an advantage, particularly in the competitive landscape of Sioux Falls, where considerations such as specialty domains and employer types play a crucial role in dictating pay and advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Sioux Falls in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Sioux Falls?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Sioux Falls?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Sioux Falls?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Sioux Falls?
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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 $160,337 for actuaries in the Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls 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