Actuaries Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
The median pay for a actuaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $131,460/year ($63.2/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $184K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $143,359 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,318/month, or 16.5% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $131K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About actuaries
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level actuaries (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K.Top earners bring in $184K or more - a $104K spread from bottom to top.
Actuaries pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $153K | +22% | 200 |
| Washington | $153K | +22% | 250 |
| Connecticut | $148K | +18% | 1,190 |
| Alabama | $143K | +14% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $137K | +9% | 1,280 |
| Virginia | $136K | +8% | 690 |
| New York | $134K | +6% | 3,090 |
| Maine | $133K | +6% | 90 |
| Maryland | $133K | +6% | 610 |
| Nevada | $132K | +5% | 140 |
| Iowa | $130K | +3% | 650 |
| North Carolina | $130K | +3% | 600 |
| Oregon | $129K | +3% | 170 |
| Utah | $129K | +2% | 320 |
| Kansas | $126K | -0% | 310 |
Track actuaries salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do actuaries make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $131,460 a year - that works out to about $63.2 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,260, and experienced actuaries can clear $184,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,795/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 16.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a actuaries salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median actuaries salary is worth about $143,359 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do actuaries get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.