Salary distribution
Where Iowa actuaries fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $96,670 and $165,070, with a median of $129,870.
Actuaries in Iowa: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $94,519. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 6 | $79,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $115,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $159,674 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Actuaries in Iowa. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transamerica Life Insurance Company | Actuarial Assistant (Level 5) | 4 | $150,003 |
| American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company | Actuarial Associate I | 4 | $82,500 |
| Wellmark, Inc. | Actuarial Analyst II | 2 | $75,546 |
| Employers Mutual Casualty Company | Actuarial Specialist | 1 | $104,037 |
| The Prudential Insurance Company of America | Senior Actuarial Associate - KBGFJG317949-1 | 1 | $115,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Actuarial Specialist at Employers Mutual Casualty Company$104,037Des MoinesDecided Dec 2, 2025I-200-25328-433267
- Actuarial Assistant (Level 5) at Transamerica Life Insurance Company$110,800Cedar RapidsWage Level IIDecided Jul 23, 2025I-200-25197-179542
- Actuarial Associate I at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company$78,000West Des MoinesWage Level IDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25157-059922
- Actuarial Analyst II at Wellmark, Inc.$75,546Des MoinesWage Level IDecided May 30, 2025I-200-25142-010070
- Actuarial Associate at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company$80,000West Des MoinesWage Level IDecided May 28, 2025I-200-25140-995894
- Actuarial Analyst I at Wellmark, Inc.$75,546DES MOINESWage Level IDecided May 22, 2025I-200-25135-980260
- Actuarial Associate I at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company$85,000West Des MoinesWage Level IDecided May 19, 2025I-200-25132-966767
- Actuarial Associate I at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company$85,000West Des MoinesWage Level IDecided May 19, 2025I-200-25132-966697
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Actuaries pay by experience level in Iowa
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Actuaries specialties in Iowa
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 8 certified offers. The most common variant is Actuarial Associate at a median of $85,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actuarial Associate | American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company | 5 | $85,000 |
| Associate Actuary | Transamerica Life Insurance Company | 3 | $155,006 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Iowa over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
- 4.3 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.3 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.3 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Inductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Number Facility
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
- 02
Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.
- 03
Analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.
- 04
Design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.
- 05
Determine, or help determine, company policy, and explain complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.
- 06
Construct probability tables for events such as fires, natural disasters, and unemployment, based on analysis of statistical data and other pertinent information.
- 07
Provide advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.
- 08
Determine equitable basis for distributing surplus earnings under participating insurance and annuity contracts in mutual companies.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+21.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Actuaries in Iowa?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Actuaries in Iowa is $129,870.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Actuaries?
- The Iowa median is +6.6% versus the BLS national figure of $121,794.
- What is the salary range for Actuaries in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,140 and the 90th-percentile at $184,040, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Actuaries a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 21.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Actuaries?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.