Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Jacksonville, FL: $83,933 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Jacksonville, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,933 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 99.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,368 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,081) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level actuary salary in Jacksonville is projected to start around $83,933, which can be seen as a competitive entry point relative to the city's median salary of $137,081. For new graduates entering this field, the salary expectations can initially seem modest, but there’s an upward trajectory to consider. With the potential to climb to the 25th percentile at $106,750 within a few years, candidates can look forward to solid salary growth driven by experience and further qualifications. Given the growing demand for actuaries, Jacksonville presents an effective market for recent graduates, especially with its robust insurance industry and supportive professional community.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
Entry-level actuarys in Jacksonville, FL typically start between $83,933 and $106,750 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $126,327 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,081 — 2.18% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Florida of $42,000 represents just 50.04% of the starting actuary pay ($83,933/year) in Jacksonville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Jacksonville
- 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $83,933 to $106,750, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in FL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jacksonville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jacksonville's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Jacksonville is $126,327 ( 150.51%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,933, experienced hygienists can earn up to $210,260.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,370
2025 BLS Actual
$81,330
2026 Current Est.
$83,933
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,933 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,618 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, FL grew 20.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,370 in 2019 to $81,330 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,618. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Jacksonville
When seeking an entry-level position, candidates should consider the employers heavily recruiting in Jacksonville, such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often engage with recent graduates through campus recruitment and structured exam preparation programs. Health insurers also provide opportunities, while consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer tend to seek candidates with ASA credentials, leading to higher starting salaries. New actuaries should focus on obtaining a foundational degree in math, statistics, or actuarial science, passing preliminary actuarial exams, and accumulating VEE credits. Early career strategies should emphasize exam progression, as passing each exam can enhance base salary by an estimated $3,000 to $8,000. Realistically, graduates can expect their salaries to increase in their first few years as they attain professional qualifications, positioning themselves well within the diverse sectors of the actuarial market in Jacksonville, FL.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Jacksonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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