Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Kailua, HI: $72,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Kailua, HI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,270 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kailua's local price level (BEA RPP 119.3 — 19% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,578 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($116,420) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kailua, Hawaii presents a unique opportunity for new actuary graduates entering the job market in 2026. The starting salary for entry-level actuaries, pegged at $72,270, offers a substantial entry point relative to local economic conditions, especially when considering the city median annual salary of $116,420. For new graduates, there is a clear growth path; the trajectory from the entry-level figures can lead to salaries as high as $87,825 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median within the first three to five years. Given the competitive nature of the local job market and the cost of living, Kailua remains an attractive option for those embarking on their actuarial careers, despite a more modest starting figure compared to the nationwide average of $134,160.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kailua
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 Kailua
Entry-level actuarys in Kailua, HI typically start between $72,270 and $87,825 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $108,181 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $116,420 — 13.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Hawaii of $58,000 represents just 80.25% of the starting actuary pay ($72,270/year) in Kailua. 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 Kailua
- 1Research the Kailua market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,270 to $87,825, 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 Kailua, 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 Kailua for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Kailua'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 Kailua is $108,181 ( 149.69%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,270, experienced hygienists can earn up to $180,451.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,809
2025 BLS Actual
$70,029
2026 Current Est.
$72,270
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,852 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,383 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,959 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,743 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,029 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,583 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Kailua, HI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,809 in 2019 to $70,029 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,583. New graduates entering the Kailua job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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 Kailua
In Kailua, major employers looking for entry-level actuaries include respected life and health insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often hire through university recruitment and offer structured study programs for exams. Additionally, consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW typically seek ASA-credentialed analysts, providing higher starting salaries. To improve their earning potential, fresh graduates should endeavor to pass actuarial exams early, as each exam passed typically boosts salary by $3,000 to $8,000. Earning credentials like ASA will require dedicated effort over 4-5 years, involving multiple exams, with an eventual goal of attaining Fellow status (FSA), which significantly enhances salary potential. Salary growth expectations in the first few years can be encouraging as graduates work towards these certifications, particularly in a local economy that values advanced analytical skills in conjunction with traditional actuarial expertise.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
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 Kailua. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kailua 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