Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Burlington, IA: $74,121 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Burlington, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,121 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,992 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($116,453) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Burlington, IA, the starting actuary salary is projected at $74,121 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for entry-level positions, which can reach up to $180,502 at the upper percentile. Overall, the median salary for actuaries in Burlington stands at $116,453, highlighting a significant gap for newcomers. Over the first few years, new grads can expect a growth trajectory moving from $74,121 to around $89,172 as they gain experience and potentially pass additional actuarial exams. Given that the city has a relatively cost-effective living index of 90.4 compared to the national average, Burlington presents a promising market for entry-level actuaries to start their careers while still living comfortably.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level actuarys in Burlington, IA typically start between $74,121 and $89,172 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $106,381 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $116,453 — 13.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Iowa of $45,000 represents just 60.71% of the starting actuary pay ($74,121/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,121 to $89,172, 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 Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington'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 Burlington is $106,381 ( 143.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,121, experienced hygienists can earn up to $180,502.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,290
2025 BLS Actual
$71,823
2026 Current Est.
$74,121
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,617 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,823 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,121 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,493 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, IA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,290 in 2019 to $71,823 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,493. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
In Burlington, key employers seeking entry-level actuaries include prominent life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, as well as health insurers that tap into the local talent pool. These organizations often recruit candidates from universities and provide structured pathways that include dedicated study time for exams. For those new to the field, obtaining relevant credentials will significantly enhance starting actuary pay in Iowa. A bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field, paired with the successful completion of actuarial exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), is crucial. Each passed exam can typically increase base wages by $3,000 to $8,000, and attaining the Associate (ASA) credential within four to five years can position candidates favorably for salary increases. Graduates should aim to develop skills in predictive analytics and data science, which have become increasingly essential in the insurance industry. Realistically, within the first three years, an actuary can expect notable salary adjustments, particularly if they make progress on their exam pathway and seek opportunities in consulting, which generally offers higher initial salaries than traditional insurer roles.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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