Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Honolulu, HI: $72,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Honolulu, HI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,480 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Honolulu's local price level (BEA RPP 119.3 — 19% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,754 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($124,966) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Honolulu can expect a starting salary around $72,480. This figure represents the 10th percentile of entry-level salaries and indicates a notable gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $124,966. However, early-career actuaries have the potential to progress steadily, with the 25th percentile salary reaching $89,976 within a few years. Considering a growth trajectory of 3.20% annually, Honolulu offers a favorable market for new actuaries, especially as demand for quantitative skills in various industries is on the rise. Understanding this backdrop helps graduates to set realistic salary expectations as they embark on their professional journeys.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Honolulu
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 Honolulu
Entry-level actuarys in Honolulu, HI typically start between $72,480 and $89,976 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,217 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $124,966 — 6.85% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Hawaii of $58,000 represents just 80.02% of the starting actuary pay ($72,480/year) in Honolulu. 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 Honolulu
- 1Research the Honolulu market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,480 to $89,976, 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 HI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Honolulu, 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 Honolulu for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Honolulu's above-average cost of living (index: 119.3) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Honolulu is $121,217 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,480, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,697.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,978
2025 BLS Actual
$70,233
2026 Current Est.
$72,480
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,978 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,548 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,381 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,233 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,800 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Honolulu, HI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,978 in 2019 to $70,233 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,800. New graduates entering the Honolulu job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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 Honolulu
Employers in Honolulu that commonly hire new actuarial graduates include major life and health insurance companies, such as Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit through university channels, providing structured study time for actuarial exams. Health insurers in the region also seek entry-level actuaries to fulfill growing analytical demands. Consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer typically offer higher starting salaries, particularly for candidates who have obtained the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) designation. Candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree in fields such as mathematics or finance, along with VEE credits in economics and actuarial science, can significantly boost their earning potential. For those aiming to advance quickly, passing exams is critical—each exam can increase a salary by $3,000 to $8,000. Salary growth expectations in the first few years can be quite promising, especially for those who pass multiple exams early in their careers, providing clear pathways for new grads seeking to enhance their careers in HI's actuarial field.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Honolulu. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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