Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Ankeny, IA: $72,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Ankeny, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,917 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ankeny's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,660 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($117,864) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Ankeny, Iowa, can expect a starting salary around $72,917, which is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $117,864. This gap indicates a common trend where entry-level positions typically pay less than more experienced roles. However, for recent graduates who rapidly progress in their careers, there are opportunities for salary growth through specialized exams and gaining relevant experience. Within the first three to five years, ambitious entry-level actuaries can expect to move towards the $88,940 mark at the 25th percentile, positioning them to comfortably reach or even exceed the median as they advance.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ankeny
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 Ankeny
Entry-level actuarys in Ankeny, IA typically start between $72,917 and $88,940 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $109,772 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $117,864 — 12.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Iowa of $45,000 represents just 61.71% of the starting actuary pay ($72,917/year) in Ankeny. 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 Ankeny
- 1Research the Ankeny market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,917 to $88,940, 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 Ankeny, 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 Ankeny for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ankeny'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 Ankeny is $109,772 ( 150.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,917, experienced hygienists can earn up to $182,689.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,327
2025 BLS Actual
$70,656
2026 Current Est.
$72,917
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,327 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,379 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,532 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,787 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,572 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,656 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,250 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Ankeny, IA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,327 in 2019 to $70,656 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,250. New graduates entering the Ankeny job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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 Ankeny
In Ankeny, several prominent employers actively recruit new graduates in actuarial roles, including large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, which often have structured training programs that support exam preparation. Health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer also provide viable opportunities, and they tend to prefer candidates with ASA credentials or those who have begun their exam journeys. To enhance starting pay in Iowa, candidates should focus on obtaining relevant bachelor's degrees in fields such as math or finance, and work towards passing various Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams. Each passed exam typically leads to a salary increase of $3,000 to $8,000, sharply outlining the direct connection between exam progression and compensation growth. With a continued emphasis on predictive analytics and data science skills, those fresh out of college should remain focused on skill development and networking to strategically navigate their first few years in the field.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Ankeny in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Ankeny?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Ankeny?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Ankeny?
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 Ankeny. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ankeny 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