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Entry Level Actuary Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Actuary make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Actuary in the United States is $80,901 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, an Entry Level Actuary's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,994
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,501 to $88,801
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,764
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Actuary Salaries

An Entry Level Actuary's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Actuary Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Actuary's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Level Actuary (0-2 years): $80,842
  • Actuarial Analyst II (2-4 years): $93,186
  • Actuarial Analyst III (4-7 years): $107,943
  • Actuarial Analyst IV (7+ years): $140,854
  • Actuarial Analyst V (7-10 years): $164,975
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Level Actuary0-2 years$80,842
Actuarial Analyst II2-4 years$93,186
Actuarial Analyst III4-7 years$107,943
Actuarial Analyst IV7+ years$140,854
Actuarial Analyst V7-10 years$164,975
View as Graph

How Do Entry Level Actuary Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Level Actuaries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,601.
  • California: $89,201.
  • Massachusetts: $88,001.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Actuaries

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $102,001
  • San Francisco: $100,901
  • Oakland: $98,801

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Actuary's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9.91% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 2.2% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • Collective Bargaining (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Collective bargaining is a process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers. The interests of the employees are commonly presented by representatives of a trade union to which the employees belong. The collective agreements reached by these negotiations usually set out wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance mechanisms, and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs. The union may negotiate with a single employer (who is typically representing a company's shareholders) or may negotiate with a group of businesses, depending on the country, to reach an industry-wide agreement. A collective agreement functions as a labour contract between an employer and one or more unions. Collective bargaining consists of the process of negotiation between representatives of a union and employers (generally represented by management, or, in some countries such as Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, by an employers' organization) in respect of the terms and conditions of employment of employees, such as wages, hours of work, working conditions, grievance procedures, and about the rights and responsibilities of trade unions. The parties often refer to the result of the negotiation as a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or as a collective employment agreement (CEA).
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9.91%
Economics 2.2%
Collective Bargaining 1.06%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Level Actuary's salary.

  • SAS/SQL: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
SAS/SQL $86,564
7%
Time Management $85,755
6%
Coaching $85,755
6%
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Entry Level Actuary Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Level Actuary salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $90,318. While startup companies pay approximate $76,476.

Entry Level Actuary Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $76,476
Growth Stage 51~500 $80,864
Established 501~5000 $87,209
Enterprise 5000+ $90,318

Entry Level Actuary Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Actuary roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Actuary positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Actuary as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Level Actuary

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$113,261$54.040%
Pharmaceuticals$105,171$51.030%
Software & Networking$101,126$49.025%
Aerospace & Defense$93,036$45.015%
Energy & Utilities$88,991$43.010%

How Education impacts an Entry Level Actuary's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Actuaries enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Level Actuary with a Associate's Degree is between $75,200 and $80,147).

Entry Level Actuary Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Actuary
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 8.9%
Associates 3.9%
Bachelors 64.0%
Masters 20.5%
Doctorate 2.1%
View as Graph

Entry Level Actuary Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Actuary's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$73,501
Average $80,901/year
$88,801
$6,125
Average $6,742/month
$7,400
$1,413
Average $1,556/week
$1,708
$35
Average $39/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,801 $7,400 $1,708 $43
Average $80,901 $6,742 $1,556 $39
25th Percentile $73,501 $6,125 $1,413 $35

Entry Level Actuary Salary Growth & Career Path

Entry Level Actuary

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Level Actuary, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Actuarial Analyst II $93,200 15%
Actuarial Operations Assistant II $89,300 10%

Most common benefits for Entry Level Actuary

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Level Actuary

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Actuary and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Level Actuary

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Actuary?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Actuary roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Which type of actuary gets paid the most?

The highest-paying actuary roles include Actuarial Director, with salaries ranging from $142,500 to $211,500, and Pricing Actuary, earning between $120,000 and $188,000. For entry-level positions, salaries typically range from $72,801 to $89,801, with a midpoint of $81,501, reflecting the starting point for a rewarding career in actuarial science.

3. Is there a shortage of actuaries?

Despite a projected growth rate of 21% from 2021 to 2031 and around 2,400 job openings annually, the actuarial profession faces a talent shortage. Entry-level actuaries can expect salaries ranging from $72,801 to $89,801, highlighting the demand for skilled professionals in this critical field. The ongoing talent crisis poses challenges for the industry.

4. What is a good GPA for an actuary?

A good GPA for an actuary is typically above 3.0, as recruiters view it as a key factor in candidate evaluation. With entry-level actuary salaries ranging from $72,801 to $89,801, a strong academic record can enhance your prospects for securing a competitive position in this field.

5. Is there a shortage of actuaries?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for actuaries is projected to increase 21% from 2021 to 2031, significantly outpacing the average occupation. This supply gap is exacerbated by appealing opportunities in related fields like data science. Entry-level actuaries can expect salaries ranging from $72,801 to $89,801, making the profession increasingly attractive.

6. What is an entry level actuary?

An entry-level actuary typically starts as an actuarial assistant, associate actuary, or actuarial trainee. Responsibilities include analyzing data, developing equations and algorithms for calculations, and preparing reports for a supervising actuary. The salary for entry-level actuaries ranges from $72,801 to $89,801, with a mid-salary of $81,501.

7. Is actuary a hard degree?

Actuarial Science is known for its challenging curriculum, requiring strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of mathematics and statistics. Entry-level actuaries can expect salaries ranging from $72,801 to $89,801, reflecting the high demand for expertise in managing risk and uncertainty in various industries.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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