Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $62,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Elizabethtown, KY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,726 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Elizabethtown's local price level (BEA RPP 89.3 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,242 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,089) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, can expect starting salaries around $62,726. While this figure may seem lower than the median annual salary of $105,089 for all actuaries in the area, it still offers a solid foundation for recent graduates beginning their careers. Notably, there is a growth trajectory for entry-level positions, with salaries potentially rising to $77,424 within the first few years as individuals gain experience and credentials. Given the local market conditions and the city’s cost of living index at 89.3, Elizabethtown can be considered a reasonable place for new actuaries to kick-start their professional journey, especially as demand for financial and risk management experts continues to grow.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown
Entry-level actuarys in Elizabethtown, KY typically start between $62,726 and $77,424 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,162 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,089 — 21.67% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kentucky of $42,000 represents just 66.96% of the starting actuary pay ($62,726/year) in Elizabethtown. 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 Elizabethtown
- 1Research the Elizabethtown market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $62,726 to $77,424, 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 KY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Elizabethtown'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 Elizabethtown is $100,162 ( 159.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,726, experienced hygienists can earn up to $162,888.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,175
2025 BLS Actual
$60,781
2026 Current Est.
$62,726
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,175 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,937 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,513 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,313 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,659 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,781 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,733 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Elizabethtown, KY grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,175 in 2019 to $60,781 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,733. New graduates entering the Elizabethtown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown
Employers in Elizabethtown looking to recruit entry-level actuaries largely include large life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often create internship opportunities and campus hiring pipelines. Health insurers and consulting firms, including names like Milliman and Mercer, also actively hire new actuaries, particularly those who have already achieved an ASA designation. To enhance starting pay, new graduates benefit from degrees in math, statistics, or actuarial science and passing early actuarial exams. The need for VEE credits and progression toward an ASA credential—typically achievable within 4-5 years through passing 5-7 exams—further impacts salary growth. Individuals who advance to fine-tune their skills in predictive analytics and data science can expect career advancement opportunities, with each passed exam potentially adding $3,000 to $8,000 to their salary. Thus, the initial pay expectations serve as a stepping stone for a rewarding career in the actuarial field, with significant potential for salary increases in the first three years.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
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 Elizabethtown. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elizabethtown 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