Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Worcester, MA: $81,187 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Worcester, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,187 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Worcester's local price level (BEA RPP 102.5 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,189 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($127,111) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, newcomers to the actuarial field in Worcester, Massachusetts, can expect a starting salary of around $81,187. This entry-level figure significantly trails the city's median annual wage of $127,111, reflecting a notable gap. However, there is potential for salary growth as new graduates advance through their early careers. By progressing from the P10 to the P25 figures, entry-level actuaries may anticipate earning $84,046 within just a couple of years, further closing the gap toward the median salary. With a projected growth rate of 3.20% in this sector over the next five years, Worcester appears to be a promising market for aspiring actuaries as they launch their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Worcester
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 Worcester
Entry-level actuarys in Worcester, MA typically start between $81,187 and $84,046 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,398 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $127,111 — 5.25% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Massachusetts of $92,000 represents just 113.32% of the starting actuary pay ($81,187/year) in Worcester. 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 Worcester
- 1Research the Worcester market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $81,187 to $84,046, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Worcester'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 Worcester is $114,398 ( 140.91%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,187, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,585.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,190
2025 BLS Actual
$78,670
2026 Current Est.
$81,187
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,341 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,187 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,785 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Worcester, MA grew 28.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,190 in 2019 to $78,670 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,785. New graduates entering the Worcester job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Worcester 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 Worcester
In Worcester, several key employers look for new graduates to join their ranks, including prominent life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual. These firms often have established campus recruitment strategies that support actuarial students with structured exam study time. Additionally, consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW are known to hire entry-level actuaries and often provide higher initial salaries for those with the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) designation. To enhance starting pay in MA, candidates should focus on obtaining relevant credentials, including passing preliminary actuarial exams and securing Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credits. Additionally, candidates who demonstrate proficiency in predictive analytics and data science may gain a competitive edge. Early in their careers, those pursuing actuarial paths can typically see annual salary increases of $3,000 to $8,000 following each passed exam, making the first three years in this profession critical for both professional development and earning potential.
More salary data for Worcester, 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 Worcester. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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