Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Stoughton, MA: $90,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Stoughton, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $90,064 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Stoughton's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,008 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,339) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Stoughton, Massachusetts, the entry-level actuary salary for new graduates in 2026 is projected to start at around $90,064. This figure may initially seem modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $139,339, highlighting a noticeable gap for early-career professionals. However, there’s significant potential for growth; with a few years of experience, new graduates can expect to earn upwards of $104,545, eventually progressing toward the median as they gain skills and certifications. For recent graduates looking to enter this field, Stoughton presents a viable market, especially given the anticipated annual growth rate of 3.20%, creating opportunities in both insurers and consulting firms.
About the Stoughton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Stoughton
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 Stoughton
Entry-level actuarys in Stoughton, MA typically start between $90,064 and $104,545 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $125,911 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,339 — 3.86% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Massachusetts of $92,000 represents just 102.15% of the starting actuary pay ($90,064/year) in Stoughton. 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 Stoughton
- 1Research the Stoughton market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $90,064 to $104,545, 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 Stoughton, 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 Stoughton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Stoughton'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 Stoughton is $125,911 ( 139.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $90,064, experienced hygienists can earn up to $215,975.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,043
2025 BLS Actual
$87,271
2026 Current Est.
$90,064
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Stoughton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,043 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,342 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,707 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,728 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,946 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Stoughton, MA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $72,043 in 2019 to $87,271 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $92,946. New graduates entering the Stoughton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stoughton 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 Stoughton
In Stoughton, employers seeking talent in the actuarial field primarily include major life and health insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often recruit directly from academic programs. These firms have established pipelines that facilitate the transformation of interns into full-time actuaries, providing structured exam preparation support. Consulting giants like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW also hire entry-level actuaries, prioritizing candidates with passed exams and relevant credentials such as the ASA designation. Aspiring actuaries should focus on acquiring a solid educational background in mathematics or statistics and aim to pass initial actuarial exams; each passing exam can increase their starting salary by $3,000 to $8,000. Within the first few years, entry-level professionals can expect realistic salary increases as they progress in their exam journey, with the market also increasingly favoring skills in predictive analytics and data science, further enhancing career prospects in Massachusetts.
More salary data for Stoughton, 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 Stoughton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Stoughton 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