Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Liberal, KS: $69,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Liberal, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,960 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Liberal's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,964 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,144) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Liberal, Kansas, the starting actuary salary is projected at $69,960 in 2026. While this figure is significantly lower than the city median salary of $104,144, it still represents a realistic entry point for those starting their careers. As early-career actuaries gain experience, they can expect salary growth that aligns with the projected trajectory from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, leading to a potential base of around $82,418 after a few years. With an anticipated annual growth rate of 3.20%, Liberal remains a viable market for new actuaries, offering competitive salaries compared to the national level, which stands at $134,160.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Liberal
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 Liberal
Entry-level actuarys in Liberal, KS typically start between $69,960 and $82,418 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $91,463 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,144 — 22.37% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kansas of $40,000 represents just 57.18% of the starting actuary pay ($69,960/year) in Liberal. 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 Liberal
- 1Research the Liberal market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $69,960 to $82,418, 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 Liberal, 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 Liberal for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Liberal'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 Liberal is $91,463 ( 130.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,960, experienced hygienists can earn up to $161,423.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,962
2025 BLS Actual
$67,791
2026 Current Est.
$69,960
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,962 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,581 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,039 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,165 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,791 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,199 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Liberal, KS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,962 in 2019 to $67,791 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,199. New graduates entering the Liberal job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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 Liberal
Various employers in Liberal actively recruit entry-level actuaries, including major life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, which often seek candidates through campus engagement initiatives. These employers offer structured pathways for new grads, including study time for actuarial exams. Health insurers also hire entry-level talent, but opportunities are supplemented by consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer, which may offer higher starting salaries for newly credentialed analysts. To optimize earning potential, recent graduates should focus on obtaining relevant credentials and education, specifically pursuing a bachelor's degree in fields such as actuarial science or mathematics while passing required exams to achieve ASA status. Compensations tend to increase alongside credentialing; successful completion of exams typically augments annual salary by $3,000 to $8,000, making ongoing professional development essential within the first few years of one's career in the field.
More salary data for Liberal, 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 Liberal. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Liberal 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