Actuary Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Actuarys in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $95,000/year, ranging from $73,150 (25th percentile) to $152,000 (90th percentile). After Indiana state taxes (3.15%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 90), this is equivalent to $105,556 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Indianapolis, IN
Among the larger employers here are Anthem (Elevance Health), CNO Financial, OneAmerica, and the regional consulting practices. A one-bedroom in Broad Ripple or Fountain Square runs around $1,100 to $1,400 monthly, which keeps housing well under 25% of an actuary's gross. The metro is car-dependent and I-465 around the city is the daily commute reality. Indiana's 3.05% flat income tax is among the lowest in this list, plus county add-ons. Health plan concentration means the actuarial market here is unusually heavy on Medicare and Medicaid work - rate filings, risk-adjustment modeling, and PBM economics - which is great for the Group and Health track but narrower for life-focused candidates.
1Salary Distribution in Indianapolis, IN
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Indianapolis, IN Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN (current) | $95,000 | 90 | $105,556 |
| San Francisco, CA | $154,000 | 186 | $82,796 |
| New York, NY | $148,000 | 187 | $79,144 |
| Seattle, WA | $150,000 | 162 | $92,593 |
| Boston, MA | $136,000 | 162 | $83,951 |
| Austin, TX | $123,000 | 124 | $99,194 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Actuary salary in Indianapolis, IN?
The median Actuary salary in Indianapolis, IN is $95,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $73,150 and the 90th percentile is $152,000.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a Actuary?
Indianapolis, IN has a cost of living index of 90 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $95,000 Actuary salary in Indianapolis, IN is equivalent to $105,556 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Indianapolis, IN?
Indianapolis, IN has a cost of living index of 90, meaning it is 10% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Indiana is approximately 3.15%.
What is the Actuary salary range in Indianapolis, IN?
In Indianapolis, IN, Actuarys earn between $73,150 (25th percentile) and $152,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $95,000 per year.
How many Actuary jobs are there in Indianapolis, IN?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 12,000 Actuary positions in the Indianapolis, IN metropolitan area.
What do Actuarys earn in Indianapolis, IN?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Actuarys in Indianapolis, IN earn a median annual wage of $95,000. The middle 50% earn between $73,150 and $121,600. The top 10% earn more than $152,000. There are approximately 12,000 Actuarys employed in the Indianapolis, IN metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.6%.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place for a Actuary?
Indianapolis, IN has a cost of living index of 90 (US average = 100), making it 10% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Actuary in Indianapolis, IN earning $95,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $105,556 relative to the US median. Indiana has a state income tax rate of approximately 3.15%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Indianapolis, IN?
Indianapolis, IN's cost of living index is 90, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $95,000 in Indianapolis, INhas the same purchasing power as $105,556 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Indianapolis, IN with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Actuary in Indianapolis, IN?
The headline median of $95,000 is only part of the picture. Indianapolis, IN's cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here goes further than in most of the country. The $95,000 salary has the purchasing power of roughly $105,556 at national-average prices — a real premium for moving to a lower-cost market.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Indianapolis, IN, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $95,000 salary, that translates to roughly $26,600/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Indiana levies a state income tax of approximately 3.15%, which reduces take-home by roughly $2,993 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $85,015. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($154,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($148,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($150,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 3.6% year-over-year growth rate for Actuarys in Indianapolis, IN is a leading indicator of market health. Healthy growth at a steady pace — enough to support mobility but not so fast that compensation is racing ahead of credentials. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Actuarys or the Indiana state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.