Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Baltimore, MD: $79,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Baltimore, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,123 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Baltimore's local price level (BEA RPP 104.5 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,725 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,012) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial field in Baltimore, Maryland, can realistically expect a starting salary around $79,123 in 2026. This amount marks a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary for actuaries, which is projected at $131,012. However, new actuaries can anticipate growth in their earnings as they gain experience and advance toward the 25th percentile earning $100,383 within the first few years. Those entering the workforce now will find that Baltimore represents a solid market for early-career actuaries, especially as the industry trends upward with an expected growth rate of 3.20% annually over the next five years.
Career Earnings Timeline in Baltimore
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 Baltimore
Entry-level actuarys in Baltimore, MD typically start between $79,123 and $100,383 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $112,024 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,012 — 2.35% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Maryland of $60,000 represents just 75.83% of the starting actuary pay ($79,123/year) in Baltimore. 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 Baltimore
- 1Research the Baltimore market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,123 to $100,383, 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 MD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Baltimore, 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 Baltimore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Baltimore's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Baltimore is $112,024 ( 141.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,123, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,147.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,660
2025 BLS Actual
$76,670
2026 Current Est.
$79,123
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,655 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Baltimore, MD grew 24.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,660 in 2019 to $76,670 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,655. New graduates entering the Baltimore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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 Baltimore
In Baltimore, several key employers actively recruit entry-level actuaries, particularly among large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which often have structured programs for new grads. Health insurers and consulting firms, such as Milliman and Mercer, seek out talent with relevant educational backgrounds, including degrees in mathematics, actuarial science, or finance. Notably, credentials play a vital role in enhancing starting pay; passing actuarial exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) not only validates expertise but can add $3,000 to $8,000 to base salaries with every exam passed. As new professionals navigate their first three years, continuously developing their qualifications and potentially acquiring credentials like the ASA—or progressing towards the FSA—will be critical in elevating their earning potential and establishing a successful long-term career in actuarial science.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 Baltimore. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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