Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Ames, IA: $69,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Ames, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,998 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ames's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,431 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,687) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, newly graduated actuaries in Ames, Iowa can expect entry-level salaries starting around $69,998, which reflects their initial career stages in a competitive job market. This figure falls considerably below the city median salary for actuaries of $120,687, indicating that recent graduates should be prepared for a lower starting pay as they begin their careers. However, their earning potential can grow significantly in the first few years, with the chance to reach approximately $87,236 within three to five years, marking a positive growth trend. Given the anticipated 3.20% annual growth in the region, Ames can be viewed as a relatively favorable market for new actuarial talent, provided they are equipped with the necessary skills and credentials.
About the Ames Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ames
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 Ames
Entry-level actuarys in Ames, IA typically start between $69,998 and $87,236 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,067 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,687 — 10.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Iowa of $45,000 represents just 64.29% of the starting actuary pay ($69,998/year) in Ames. 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 Ames
- 1Research the Ames market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $69,998 to $87,236, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Ames, 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 Ames for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ames'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 Ames is $117,067 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,998, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,065.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,992
2025 BLS Actual
$67,828
2026 Current Est.
$69,998
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,992 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,002 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,611 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,949 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,074 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,828 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,238 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Ames, IA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,992 in 2019 to $67,828 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,238. New graduates entering the Ames job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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 Ames
Several key employers in Ames actively seek entry-level actuaries, particularly prominent life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often establish campus recruitment channels geared toward students. These organizations strive to support new hires through structured exam study time, enhancing their professional credentials early in their careers. Additionally, firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW focus on hiring ASA-credentialed analysts at higher base salaries, reflecting the industry's premium on credentials. An actuarial candidate with a bachelor's degree in math, statistics, or finance will be in a strong position, but pursuing ongoing education and passing key actuarial exams through SOA or CAS can significantly elevate starting actuary pay in IA. In this context, it's critical for new actuaries to understand that each passed exam can add $3,000 to $8,000 to their salary, making exam progression a vital part of their career strategy. Realistically, growth in pay during the initial years can be substantial, particularly as actuaries develop skills in predictive analytics and data science, which are increasingly sought after in today’s actuarial marketplace.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Ames in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Ames?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Ames?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Ames?
How do I become a actuary in Iowa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Ames. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ames 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