Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Medford, MA: $92,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Medford, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $92,631 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medford's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,374 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($143,837) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For recent graduates entering the actuarial field, the landscape in Medford, Massachusetts, presents promising opportunities. The starting actuary salary in Medford is projected at $92,631 in 2026, which is a significant starting point given the city's median salary of $143,837. This indicates a gap where new grads can anticipate gradual salary progression. As they gain experience, they can realistically move from entry-level positions to the 25th percentile salary of $111,384 within a few years, ultimately striving for the median as they build their careers. With the 3.20% annual growth rate anticipated in this field, Medford's market reflects a supportive environment for budding actuaries, providing a solid foundation for a successful career ahead.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Medford
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 Medford
Entry-level actuarys in Medford, MA typically start between $92,631 and $111,384 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $130,316 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $143,837 — 7.21% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Massachusetts of $92,000 represents just 99.32% of the starting actuary pay ($92,631/year) in Medford. 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 Medford
- 1Research the Medford market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $92,631 to $111,384, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Medford, 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 Medford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Medford'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 Medford is $130,316 ( 140.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $92,631, experienced hygienists can earn up to $222,947.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,097
2025 BLS Actual
$89,759
2026 Current Est.
$92,631
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,097 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,979 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,115 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,759 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,595 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Medford, MA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $74,097 in 2019 to $89,759 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $95,595. New graduates entering the Medford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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 Medford
In Medford, key employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively seek recent graduates for their actuarial teams, offering structured pathways that include study time for exams. Health insurance companies are also valuable options for entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer tend to recruit ASA-credentialed analysts at competitive salaries. A solid educational background in math or actuarial science, along with passing crucial SOA exams, can significantly elevate salary expectations. Typically, each passed exam can add $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary. Given the consulting environment's demand for FSAs and FCAS, those who take an early step toward designating themselves as fellows may find lucrative options waiting in the wings. For new grads in the first three years, realistic salary growth in this region can lead to rewarding income levels, especially for those who embrace continuing education and emerging skills in predictive analytics.
More salary data for Medford, MA:
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 Medford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Medford 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