Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Brandon, MS: $69,584 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Brandon, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,584 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brandon's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,195 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,577) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial profession in Brandon, Mississippi, can anticipate an entry-level actuary salary around $69,584 in 2026. This figure is significantly below the city’s overall median salary of $109,577, indicating a notable gap as new professionals begin their careers. Over the first few years, an actuary's salary growth is quite achievable—starting from the P10 figure, a new grad can expect to progress to around $84,073 at the 25th percentile as they gain experience and pass exams. With a growth rate of 3.20% annualized, new actuaries have a promising trajectory ahead, particularly in a market like Brandon, where there are opportunities to develop skills and advance within the field.
About the Brandon Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brandon
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 Brandon
Entry-level actuarys in Brandon, MS typically start between $69,584 and $84,073 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,259 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,577 — 18.32% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Mississippi of $35,000 represents just 50.30% of the starting actuary pay ($69,584/year) in Brandon. 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 Brandon
- 1Research the Brandon market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $69,584 to $84,073, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brandon, 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 Brandon for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brandon'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 Brandon is $100,259 ( 144.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,584, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,843.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,661
2025 BLS Actual
$67,426
2026 Current Est.
$69,584
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Brandon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,661 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,287 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,582 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,688 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,426 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,584 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,810 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Brandon, MS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,661 in 2019 to $67,426 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $71,810. New graduates entering the Brandon job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brandon 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 Brandon
In Brandon, several key employers actively recruit entry-level actuaries, including major life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which have established campus pipelines aimed at nurturing actuarial talent. Health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer also seek entry-level candidates, especially those who have begun their exam progressions. Building a strong educational foundation in subjects like mathematics and statistics, alongside passing early actuarial exams, is crucial for enhancing starting pay in MS. Generally, each passed exam translates into an increase of approximately $3k-$8k in annual salary, making the journey towards earning the ASA credential beneficial for new actuaries. Since consulting firms often offer higher base salaries for those who achieve FSA or FCAS status, aspiring professionals should integrate predictive analytics or data science skills into their learning to boost their value in the competitive market. Realistically, actuarial professionals in their first few years can expect steady salary increases as they become more qualified and take on greater responsibilities.
More salary data for Brandon, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Brandon in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Brandon?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Brandon?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Brandon?
How do I become a actuary in Mississippi?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 Brandon. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brandon 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