Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Marquette, MI: $77,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Marquette, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,290 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Marquette's local price level (BEA RPP 93.2 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,929 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,426) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Marquette, Michigan, the starting pay is projected to be around $77,290 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest when compared to Marquette's median annual salary of $120,426, it offers a solid foundation for growth in the early years of one’s career. Newly minted actuaries can expect their salaries to rise as they gain experience and credentials, moving towards the $92,680 mark within the first 3-5 years. Given its current economic climate, Marquette presents a viable job market for those entering this profession, with entry-level positions available as graduates enhance their qualifications through examinations and specialized training.
About the Marquette Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Marquette
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 Marquette
Entry-level actuarys in Marquette, MI typically start between $77,290 and $92,680 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,287 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,426 — 10.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Michigan of $52,000 represents just 67.28% of the starting actuary pay ($77,290/year) in Marquette. 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 Marquette
- 1Research the Marquette market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $77,290 to $92,680, 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 Marquette, 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 Marquette for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Marquette'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 Marquette is $107,287 ( 138.81%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,290, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,577.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,825
2025 BLS Actual
$74,893
2026 Current Est.
$77,290
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Marquette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,299 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,402 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,852 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,763 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Marquette, MI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,825 in 2019 to $74,893 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,763. New graduates entering the Marquette job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marquette 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 Marquette
Several employers in Marquette actively recruit entry-level actuaries, particularly large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often seek fresh talent through structured campus hiring initiatives. Additionally, health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW value candidates with strong educational backgrounds in mathematical disciplines and completed actuarial exams. For new grads, obtaining credentials such as the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) or further progressing toward Fellowship can significantly boost starting pay. As actuaries pass exams, each passing typically results in a salary increase of $3,000 to $8,000, which underscores the importance of exam progression in determining compensation. With a 3.20% annual growth rate expected for entry-level actuaries in this region, early-career professionals can anticipate steady salary growth while developing specialized skills in areas like predictive analytics and data science, which are increasingly sought after in today’s job market.
More salary data for Marquette, 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 Marquette. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Marquette 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