Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Midland, MI: $76,506 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Midland, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,506 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Midland's local price level (BEA RPP 93.2 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,088 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($119,534) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field, the starting actuary salary in Midland, MI, reflects the challenges of the market while also presenting opportunities for growth. With a projected entry-level pay around $76,506, fresh graduates can expect to see substantial upward movement in the subsequent years. The median annual salary for actuaries in Midland is $119,534, indicating a reasonable gap that new professionals may bridge as they gain experience and certifications. Over the first three to five years, it’s realistic for a newly-hired actuary to see their salary increase, moving towards the $92,156 mark within the 25th percentile, and potentially reaching or exceeding median pay as they progress through their exams and professional development. Given the favorable forecasted growth rate of 3.20% annually, Midland remains a viable market for new entrants in 2026, especially for those focusing on gaining relevant credentials and experience early in their careers.
About the Midland Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Midland
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 Midland
Entry-level actuarys in Midland, MI typically start between $76,506 and $92,156 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $108,772 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $119,534 — 10.9% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Michigan of $52,000 represents just 67.97% of the starting actuary pay ($76,506/year) in Midland. 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 Midland
- 1Research the Midland market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,506 to $92,156, 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 Midland, 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 Midland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Midland'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 Midland is $108,772 ( 142.17%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,506, experienced hygienists can earn up to $185,278.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,198
2025 BLS Actual
$74,134
2026 Current Est.
$76,506
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Midland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,198 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,708 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,124 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,753 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,134 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,506 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,954 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Midland, MI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,198 in 2019 to $74,134 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,954. New graduates entering the Midland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Midland 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 Midland
Opportunities for landing entry-level positions are abundant in Midland, with several key employers actively recruiting actuarial graduates. Major life insurers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual are known to hire from local and regional institutions, offering structured training programs that support candidates as they work towards their actuarial exams. Additionally, health insurance companies often seek entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher starting salaries and better growth potential for those with ASA credentials. To maximize entry-level pay in MI, candidates should aim to build a strong educational foundation, ideally acquiring a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or finance, and begin passing actuarial exams early. Each completed exam can add $3,000 to $8,000 to their salary, creating a compelling incentive for exam progression. In the first three years, a new actuarial professional in Midland may expect meaningful salary growth as they advance through their exams, establishing themselves for a successful career ahead.
More salary data for Midland, 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 Midland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Midland 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