Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Houma, LA: $69,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Houma, LA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,955 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Houma's local price level (BEA RPP 90.3 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,470 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,042) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting salaries for new actuaries in Houma, Louisiana are projected to begin at around $69,955 in 2026. This represents a significant entry point into the profession, with the median annual salary in the city sitting at $106,042. For recent graduates, there’s a clear growth trajectory, as initial positions can evolve to salaries near the $83,294 mark within a few years. Given Houma's lower cost of living index of 90.3 compared to the national average, this makes the local market a potentially attractive option for new graduates. Although the starting pay is around 21% lower than the national median of $134,160, the manageable gap can provide a solid foundation for early-career actuaries aiming to build their credentials.
About the Houma Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Houma
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 Houma
Entry-level actuarys in Houma, LA typically start between $69,955 and $83,294 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $94,411 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,042 — 20.96% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Louisiana of $42,000 represents just 60.04% of the starting actuary pay ($69,955/year) in Houma. 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 Houma
- 1Research the Houma market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $69,955 to $83,294, 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 LA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Houma, 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 Houma for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Houma'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 Houma is $94,411 ( 134.96%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,955, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,366.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,958
2025 BLS Actual
$67,786
2026 Current Est.
$69,955
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,958 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,967 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,577 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,911 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,034 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,792 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,786 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,194 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Houma, LA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,958 in 2019 to $67,786 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,194. New graduates entering the Houma job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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 Houma
Actuarial candidates in Houma should consider their options carefully when entering the job market. Key employers include prominent life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, as well as health insurance companies that often seek out entry-level talent. The competition for positions is competitive, and securing a spot usually requires not just a bachelor’s degree in fields such as mathematics or actuarial science, but also passing various actuarial exams. Each passed exam can significantly enhance new grad actuary pay in LA by adding $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary, particularly as individuals progress toward an ASA or FSA designation. For long-term career growth, aspiring actuaries should aim to build expertise in predictive analytics and data science as these skills are increasingly in demand, with consulting firms willing to pay a premium for those with advanced credentials.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
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 Houma. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Houma 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