Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Jackson, MS: $68,938 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Jackson, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,938 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jackson's local price level (BEA RPP 89.0 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,417 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,650) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Graduates embarking on a career as an entry-level actuary in Jackson, Mississippi, can expect a starting salary around $68,938 in 2026. This figure represents a tangible entry point into the profession, significantly below the city's median actuary salary of $109,650, highlighting a notable gap. New actuaries can anticipate a trajectory that allows for growth; transitioning from the entry point at $68,938 to $80,207 at the 25th percentile provides a realistic pathway for early-career professionals over their first few years. Jackson presents a favorable market for new graduates, offering opportunities to advance toward the median over a moderate career span, especially in a growing field that boasts an annual growth rate of 3.20%.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jackson
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 Jackson
Entry-level actuarys in Jackson, MS typically start between $68,938 and $80,207 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $239,816 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,650 — 18.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Mississippi of $35,000 represents just 50.77% of the starting actuary pay ($68,938/year) in Jackson. 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 Jackson
- 1Research the Jackson market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $68,938 to $80,207, 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 Jackson, 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 Jackson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jackson'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 Jackson is $239,816 ( 347.87%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,938, experienced hygienists can earn up to $308,754.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,144
2025 BLS Actual
$66,800
2026 Current Est.
$68,938
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,783 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,179 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,938 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,144 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Jackson, MS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,144 in 2019 to $66,800 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $71,144. New graduates entering the Jackson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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 Jackson
For those looking to maximize their entry-level actuary pay in Jackson, it's essential to target the right employers. Large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, along with health insurance companies, frequently hire recent graduates, often providing structured mentorship programs that facilitate exam preparation. Consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer typically seek ASA-credentialed analysts and offer higher initial salaries. To enhance their earning potential, candidates should focus on obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree in mathematics or actuarial science, passing initial exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and completing Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements. Early career professionals should be mindful that each passed exam can incrementally raise their salary by $3,000 to $8,000, making exam success a critical objective in the first few years. The reality is that with a strategic approach, including ongoing education and an understanding of consulting versus insurer pay differences, new grads in Jackson can make significant strides toward achieving competitive salaries in their field.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Jackson in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Jackson?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Jackson?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Jackson?
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 Jackson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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