Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Fridley, MN: $78,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Fridley, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,616 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fridley's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,813 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($125,337) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial profession in Fridley, MN can expect an entry-level actuary salary starting around $78,616 in 2026. This initial pay level is noticeably lower than the city’s median salary of $125,337. However, there is substantial growth potential for those just starting; with experience and achieving progressive milestones, such as reaching the P25 threshold of $95,445, employees can expect to see meaningful salary increases over the first few years. Overall, Fridley offers a favorable market for new actuaries, particularly when considering the area’s cost of living index, which is below the national average and could enhance the overall value of initial earnings.
About the Fridley Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fridley
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 Fridley
Entry-level actuarys in Fridley, MN typically start between $78,616 and $95,445 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $115,657 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $125,337 — 6.58% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Minnesota of $55,000 represents just 69.96% of the starting actuary pay ($78,616/year) in Fridley. 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 Fridley
- 1Research the Fridley market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $78,616 to $95,445, 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 MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fridley, 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 Fridley for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fridley'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 Fridley is $115,657 ( 147.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,616, experienced hygienists can earn up to $194,273.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,885
2025 BLS Actual
$76,178
2026 Current Est.
$78,616
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Fridley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,334 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,085 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,248 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,178 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,131 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Fridley, MN grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,885 in 2019 to $76,178 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,131. New graduates entering the Fridley job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fridley 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 Fridley
In terms of career opportunities, several prominent companies in Fridley actively recruit entry-level actuaries. Large life insurance firms like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often target actuarial students through specialized recruitment efforts, providing structured study time for exam preparation. Health insurance providers also seek fresh talent, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW may offer higher base salaries to candidates who have obtained their ASA credentials. To elevate starting compensation in Minnesota, candidates should focus on obtaining relevant credentials, including a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or actuarial science, and pass the necessary actuarial examinations from the SOA or CAS. Each exam passed can increase base pay by approximately $3,000 to $8,000, making early career milestones crucial. As they progress in their careers, those who achieve Fellow status can command significantly higher salaries, especially within consulting firms that reward advanced credentials. For new entrants, the first three years can yield realistic salary growth expectations, aligning with the industry demand for skills such as predictive analytics and data science.
More salary data for Fridley, MN:
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 Fridley. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fridley 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