Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Kansas City, KS: $79,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Kansas City, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,320 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kansas City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,261 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,758) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Individuals considering a career as an entry-level actuary in Kansas City, KS can expect a starting salary around $79,320 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap compared to the median annual salary of $136,758 for all actuaries in the city. For new graduates, the trajectory is promising; with experience and further qualifications, it’s possible to advance to a salary of $98,465 at the 25th percentile within a few years. Given the competitive salary landscape, Kansas City presents a favorable market for fresh graduates entering the profession, enhanced by a robust demand for actuarial expertise.
About the Kansas City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kansas 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 Kansas City
Entry-level actuarys in Kansas City, KS typically start between $79,320 and $98,465 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,654 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,758 — 1.94% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kansas of $40,000 represents just 50.43% of the starting actuary pay ($79,320/year) in Kansas 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 Kansas City
- 1Research the Kansas City market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,320 to $98,465, 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 Kansas 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 Kansas City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kansas 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 Kansas City is $132,654 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,320, experienced hygienists can earn up to $211,974.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,448
2025 BLS Actual
$76,860
2026 Current Est.
$79,320
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,448 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,593 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,883 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,198 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,018 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,858 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Kansas City, KS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,448 in 2019 to $76,860 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,858. New graduates entering the Kansas City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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 Kansas City
In Kansas City, venues for new actuaries include major life insurance providers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which actively recruit through campus programs and offer support for exam preparation. Health insurers also provide opportunities for entry-level roles, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW often seek candidates with significant credentials, favoring those who have achieved Associate status through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). The path to improved pay in this field is closely tied to ongoing education and exam passage. Each credential earned typically increases starting pay by $3,000 to $8,000, with a clear incentive for early career professionals to pursue higher levels of certification. For those just starting, it's prudent to focus on developing skills in predictive analytics and data science, as these competencies are increasingly sought after and can enhance earning potential over the first few years in the workforce.
More salary data for Kansas 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 Kansas City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kansas 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