Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Coralville, IA: $72,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Coralville, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,042 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coralville's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,692 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,358) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For recent graduates entering the actuarial field in Coralville, Iowa, the starting actury salary presents a realistic entry point of approximately $72,042 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the overall median annual salary in the city of $115,358, showcasing a clear gap that early-career professionals will need to navigate. However, the potential for salary growth is promising, as new actuaries can expect to progress to $86,964 within a few years. This growth trajectory is aligned with the city’s job market, which continues to evolve and may offer opportunities even for those at the early stages of their careers. Coralville currently provides a budding environment for new graduates, making it an attractive option for those entering the profession.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coralville
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 Coralville
Entry-level actuarys in Coralville, IA typically start between $72,042 and $86,964 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $106,763 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,358 — 14.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Iowa of $45,000 represents just 62.46% of the starting actuary pay ($72,042/year) in Coralville. 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 Coralville
- 1Research the Coralville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,042 to $86,964, 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 Coralville, 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 Coralville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coralville'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 Coralville is $106,763 ( 148.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,042, experienced hygienists can earn up to $178,805.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,627
2025 BLS Actual
$69,808
2026 Current Est.
$72,042
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,627 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,205 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,764 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,808 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,347 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Coralville, IA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,627 in 2019 to $69,808 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,347. New graduates entering the Coralville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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 Coralville
Employed entry-level actuaries in Coralville can look to several well-known companies for job opportunities. Large life insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often seek fresh graduates and offer structured support for actuarial exam preparations. Health insurers regularly hire entry-level talent, and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW actively recruit ASA-credentialed analysts, often at higher starting salaries. To enhance earning potential in such a competitive landscape, it is vital for graduates to focus on attaining their credentials through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams, where each passed exam can translate into significant pay increases. In particular, obtaining an ASA or ACAS designation can positively impact first-year earnings, while those aiming for more lucrative positions may consider pursuing fellowship credentials (FSA/FCAS). With salary growth typically rising as early-career professionals pass exams and gain relevant experience, realistic expectations include advancing from initial entry-level pay to substantially higher salaries as expertise and qualifications develop over the first few years.
More salary data for Coralville, 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 Coralville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coralville 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