Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lansing, MI: $67,328 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lansing, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,328 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lansing's local price level (BEA RPP 95.0 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,878 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,499) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Entering the actuarial profession in Lansing, Michigan, offers competitive starting salaries, with entry-level positions projected to begin at around $67,328 in 2026. This initial figure is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $83,499, indicating a gap of over $16,000 that new graduates will seek to bridge as they advance in their careers. Over the first three to five years, early-career actuaries can expect gradual salary growth as they gain experience and possibly achieve further qualifications. Given the 3.20% annual growth rate in this field, Lansing currently represents a promising market for fresh graduates eager to embark on their actuarial journey.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lansing
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 Lansing
Entry-level actuarys in Lansing, MI typically start between $67,328 and $67,328 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $98,576 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,499 — 37.76% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Michigan of $52,000 represents just 77.23% of the starting actuary pay ($67,328/year) in Lansing. 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 Lansing
- 1Research the Lansing market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $67,328 to $67,328, 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 MI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lansing, 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 Lansing for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lansing'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 Lansing is $98,576 ( 146.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,328, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,904.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,856
2025 BLS Actual
$65,240
2026 Current Est.
$67,328
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,856 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,328 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,482 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lansing, MI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,856 in 2019 to $65,240 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,482. New graduates entering the Lansing job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lansing 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 Lansing
Employers in Lansing eager to recruit new actuaries include major life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, as well as health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW. These organizations often establish campus recruiting ties and provide structured pathways for exam preparation, targeting candidates with relevant Bachelor's degrees in fields like math, statistics, or actuarial science. For entry-level positions, credentials are essential: passing actuarial exams, receiving VEE credits, and pursuing an ASA status can significantly enhance starting pay in MI. In the first few years of an actuary's career, the most substantial salary increases often stem from obtaining additional exams—each passed exam can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to an actuary's earning potential. Therefore, for new grads, focusing on exam progression and developing skills in predictive analytics and data science are crucial strategies for climbing the salary ladder and achieving long-term success in the actuarial profession.
More salary data for Lansing, MI:
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 Lansing. 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