Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Madisonville, KY: $64,256 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Madisonville, KY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,256 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Madisonville's local price level (BEA RPP 89.3 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,955 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,445) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madisonville, Kentucky, the starting salary for entry-level actuaries is projected to be around $64,256 in 2026. This figure is substantially below the city’s overall median annual salary of $102,445, presenting a significant gap that new graduates should take into account. However, early-career actuaries can look forward to potential growth within their first few years. With base salaries increasing to approximately $77,431 by the 25th percentile and reaching the median of $102,445 within 3-5 years, the Madisonville market offers a gradual yet promising upward trajectory for newly minted actuarial graduates. While the starting figures may appear modest, they reflect the overall economic landscape of the region, making it a feasible market for recent graduates entering the profession.
About the Madisonville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Madisonville
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 Madisonville
Entry-level actuarys in Madisonville, KY typically start between $64,256 and $77,431 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $90,373 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,445 — 23.64% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kentucky of $42,000 represents just 65.36% of the starting actuary pay ($64,256/year) in Madisonville. 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 Madisonville
- 1Research the Madisonville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $64,256 to $77,431, 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 Madisonville, 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 Madisonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Madisonville'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 Madisonville is $90,373 ( 140.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,256, experienced hygienists can earn up to $154,629.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,399
2025 BLS Actual
$62,264
2026 Current Est.
$64,256
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Madisonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,399 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,131 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,867 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,029 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,264 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,256 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,313 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Madisonville, KY grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,399 in 2019 to $62,264 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,313. New graduates entering the Madisonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madisonville 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 Madisonville
In this local context, Madisonville's hiring landscape features several key employers that actively recruit fresh graduates. Large life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurers, often have established campus pipelines that support actuarial students through structured exam study time. Consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer tend to seek out entry-level actuaries with Associate credentials, offering higher initial salaries as a result. New graduates should prioritize obtaining a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as math, statistics, or actuarial science, as well as beginning the exam journey by passing key tests administered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Each passed exam is typically associated with a $3,000–$8,000 bump in base salary, underscoring the importance of timely progression toward the ASA designation within the first three years. For those aiming for higher pay scales, acquiring predictive analytics or data science skills in conjunction with their actuarial qualifications could enhance opportunities in the evolving job market.
More salary data for Madisonville, 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 Madisonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madisonville 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