Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Terre Haute, IN: $74,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Terre Haute, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,249 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Terre Haute's local price level (BEA RPP 91.3 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,324 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,703) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For those entering the actuarial profession in Terre Haute, Indiana, the entry-level actuary salary is expected to start at around $74,249 in 2026. New graduates should have realistic expectations when considering that the median annual salary in Terre Haute is $123,703, suggesting a significant gap which they will need to bridge in their early careers. The growth trajectory for an entry-level actuary, moving from the P10 amount to P25 at $91,636, underscores the potential for salary increases within the first few years, reflecting a growth rate of 3.20% annually. Terre Haute is currently a viable market for newcomers, especially given the local cost of living index standing below the national average, thus providing a relatively attractive environment for those just starting out in the field.
About the Terre Haute Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Terre Haute
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 Terre Haute
Entry-level actuarys in Terre Haute, IN typically start between $74,249 and $91,636 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,490 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,703 — 7.79% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Indiana of $48,000 represents just 64.65% of the starting actuary pay ($74,249/year) in Terre Haute. 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 Terre Haute
- 1Research the Terre Haute market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,249 to $91,636, 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 IN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Terre Haute's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Terre Haute is $117,490 ( 158.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,249, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,739.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,393
2025 BLS Actual
$71,947
2026 Current Est.
$74,249
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Terre Haute (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,393 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,464 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,711 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,993 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,947 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,625 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Terre Haute, IN grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,393 in 2019 to $71,947 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,625. New graduates entering the Terre Haute job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Terre Haute 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 Terre Haute
In Terre Haute, several prominent employers actively seek to recruit new actuarial graduates. Large life insurance companies, such as Prudential and MetLife, are key players, often tapping into campus programs to bring in talent who can benefit from structured study time for actuarial exams. Health insurers and consulting firms, including Milliman, Mercer, and Aon, also hire entry-level actuaries, especially those who have begun the path towards obtaining their ASA credential. To enhance their starting pay in Indiana, new grads should focus on obtaining degrees in relevant fields such as math, statistics, or actuarial science and passing initial actuarial exams, as these milestones significantly impact compensation. Each passed exam commonly leads to salary increases of between $3,000 and $8,000, making early exam progression critical for eventual financial success as they work towards their ASA and potentially FSA designations, especially within the competitive consulting sector where skilled candidates can expect premium pay offers.
More salary data for Terre Haute, IN:
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 Terre Haute. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Terre Haute 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