Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Topeka, KS: $65,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Topeka, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,389 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Topeka's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,935 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($112,739) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Those entering the actuarial field in Topeka, Kansas, can expect starting salaries around $65,389 in 2026, a figure that marks the lower 10th percentile for new grads. This amount is notably below the city's median annual salary of $112,739, reflecting a gap that early-career professionals will need to navigate. However, it’s important to recognize that entry-level salaries can rise significantly, with prospects for growth to $86,646 by reaching the 25th percentile and potential advancement to the median salary within three to five years. Given this outlook, Topeka presents a viable market for new graduates, especially those equipped with relevant skills and credentials.
About the Topeka Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Topeka
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 Topeka
Entry-level actuarys in Topeka, KS typically start between $65,389 and $86,646 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $109,356 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $112,739 — 15.97% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kansas of $40,000 represents just 61.17% of the starting actuary pay ($65,389/year) in Topeka. 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 Topeka
- 1Research the Topeka market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $65,389 to $86,646, 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 Topeka, 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 Topeka for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Topeka'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 Topeka is $109,356 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,389, experienced hygienists can earn up to $174,745.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,305
2025 BLS Actual
$63,361
2026 Current Est.
$65,389
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,361 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,481 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Topeka, KS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,305 in 2019 to $63,361 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,481. New graduates entering the Topeka job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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 Topeka
Employers in Topeka actively seek newly minted actuaries, particularly larger life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit from local universities employing structured study programs. Health insurers also deploy entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer are known for hiring analysts already on the path to attaining their ASA credentials. Graduates with strong educational backgrounds in math, statistics, and finance, alongside passing initial actuarial exams, stand to enhance their starting actuary salary in KS. Achieving further credentials, such as the ASA or later the FSA, can significantly impact earning potential, given that each exam passed may net an additional $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. New entrants should strategize their first few years around passing exams, as this will be a primary driver of their compensation, setting a foundation for career advancement in a field that increasingly values data science and predictive analytics skills.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Topeka in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Topeka?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Topeka?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Topeka?
How do I become a actuary in Kansas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Topeka. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Topeka 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