Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Hutchinson, KS: $70,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Hutchinson, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,764 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hutchinson's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,848 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,235) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating into the actuarial field in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 2026 holds promising prospects for new professionals. The starting pay for entry-level actuaries reflects a P10 salary of $70,764, significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $109,235. This disparity indicates that entry-level positions may be somewhat challenging financially, but as experience accumulates, new graduates can expect upward progression through P25 with an annual salary of $84,844 within the first few years. Given Hutchinson's developing market, new graduates might find this an opportune time to break into the field, especially with the growth rate projected at 3.20% annually, indicating continued demand for actuarial services in the region.
About the Hutchinson Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hutchinson
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 Hutchinson
Entry-level actuarys in Hutchinson, KS typically start between $70,764 and $84,844 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $98,550 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,235 — 18.58% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kansas of $40,000 represents just 56.53% of the starting actuary pay ($70,764/year) in Hutchinson. 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 Hutchinson
- 1Research the Hutchinson market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,764 to $84,844, 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 Hutchinson, 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 Hutchinson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hutchinson'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 Hutchinson is $98,550 ( 139.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,764, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,314.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,605
2025 BLS Actual
$68,570
2026 Current Est.
$70,764
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Hutchinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,605 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,626 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,209 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,627 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,029 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Hutchinson, KS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,605 in 2019 to $68,570 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,029. New graduates entering the Hutchinson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hutchinson 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 Hutchinson
In Hutchinson, there are several key employers actively recruiting new graduates into this profession, primarily among large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual. These firms often have structured pathways for actuarial students, offering study time for examinations as part of their employment incentives. Health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer also hire entry-level actuaries, with the latter often providing better starting salaries contingent upon obtaining the ASA credential. Achieving credentials through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) significantly enhances salary potential; each passed exam typically adds $3,000 to $8,000 to one's base salary, making exam progression vital in one's early career. New grads should strategically focus on passing exams and developing analytical skills to increase their marketability, as these elements will heavily influence their salary trajectory over the first few years.
More salary data for Hutchinson, 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 Hutchinson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hutchinson 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