Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Garden City, KS: $68,654 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Garden City, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,654 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Garden City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,527 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($110,664) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates starting their careers as actuaries in Garden City, Kansas can expect an entry-level actuary salary around $68,654. This figure represents a starting point significantly lower than the median annual salary of $110,664 for all actuaries in the city, highlighting a notable gap for early-career professionals. However, there is potential for rapid growth as individuals gain experience; the salary is projected to reach around $83,456 within the first few years and could rise further as they approach the median salary level. Given the city's cost of living index at 90.9, below the national average, Garden City offers a favorable environment for recent graduates to enter the actuarial field, especially for those motivated to engage in professional development.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Garden City
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 Garden City
Entry-level actuarys in Garden City, KS typically start between $68,654 and $83,456 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,876 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $110,664 — 17.51% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kansas of $40,000 represents just 58.26% of the starting actuary pay ($68,654/year) in Garden City. 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 Garden City
- 1Research the Garden City market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $68,654 to $83,456, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Garden City, 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 Garden City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Garden City'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 Garden City is $102,876 ( 149.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,654, experienced hygienists can earn up to $171,530.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,917
2025 BLS Actual
$66,525
2026 Current Est.
$68,654
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,917 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,907 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,562 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,525 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,654 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,851 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Garden City, KS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,917 in 2019 to $66,525 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,851. New graduates entering the Garden City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden City 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 Garden City
Several key employers actively recruit entry-level actuaries in Garden City, including large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which often have structured paths for recruiting actuarial talent directly from campuses. These firms typically provide exam preparation time, crucial for new grads aiming to enhance their credentials. To advance their careers and boost their starting pay, newcomers should focus on obtaining relevant bachelor's degrees and accumulating VEE credits in economics, accounting, and mathematics, as well as progressing through the series of actuarial exams. Each passed exam generally contributes an additional $3,000 to $8,000 to their base salary. Consulting firms, such as Milliman and Mercer, tend to pay higher salaries for those who achieve ASA credentials or who aspire to the FSA designation, emphasizing the value of furthering education during the first few years in the industry. As entry-level actuaries work toward their objectives, a growth trajectory of 3.20% annually is projected, aligning well with the evolving needs of the profession, including expertise in predictive analytics and data science.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
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 Garden City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Garden City 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