Senior Actuary Salary in Spearfish, SD: $154,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Spearfish, SD — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $154,284/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Spearfish's price premium (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $166,254 in average-cost America. The 52% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior actuaries in Spearfish, South Dakota, have the potential to earn substantial annual salaries, with the top earners (P90) projected to make $154,284 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national benchmark, which is set at $134,160, illustrating a gap of approximately 24.55%. The median salary for experienced actuaries in Spearfish is $101,228, highlighting a significant experience premium when considering the range of earnings, with earners in the 75th percentile making $127,312. Achieving top-tier compensation in this market demands not only extensive experience—typically over seven years—but also a strong focus on further specialization and credential attainment, such as pursuing Fellow status or advanced expertise in areas like predictive analytics and enterprise risk management.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Spearfish earn between $127,312 and $154,284 per year (2026 est.). This $92,803 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Spearfish median of $101,228 sits 24.55% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Spearfish | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $101,228 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,312 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $154,284 | $221,983 |
In Spearfish, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 52.41% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Spearfish
Advanced Certifications in South Dakota
SD actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $101,228 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Spearfish employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Spearfish command premium compensation, often reaching the $127,312–$154,284 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Spearfish metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Spearfish 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 Spearfish
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSpearfish ranks #7 of 11 South Dakota cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $154,284).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Spearfish ($154,284) is 3.62% below the South Dakota average P90 ($160,072).
2019 BLS Actual
$134,557
2025 BLS Actual
$149,500
2026 Current Est.
$154,284
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,232 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,745 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,476 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,231 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,221 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Spearfish saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $134,557 in 2019 to $149,500 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 $159,221 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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 Spearfish
Salary dynamics for senior actuaries in Spearfish are influenced by specialization and employer type. Actuaries concentrating on life and annuity, health insurance, or property and casualty domains tend to command higher pay. Those working with esteemed companies like Prudential and MetLife may find compensation differs substantially from those in consulting roles with firms like Mercer or Milliman, where the pay premium can be compelling for FSAs and FCAS. Career progression commonly follows trajectories from actuarial analyst to ASA and onward to FSA or FCAS, which often translates to significant salary leaps, given that each exam passed corresponds to pay raises of $3,000 to $8,000. As actuaries enhance their credentials, particularly by achieving advanced designations such as ASA and FSA, their earning potential in SD expands further, complemented by non-salary benefits such as study time allowances and signing bonuses for credential completion.
More salary data for Spearfish, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Spearfish in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Spearfish?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Spearfish?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Spearfish?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Spearfish?
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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 $149,500 for actuaries in the Spearfish 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 Spearfish 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