Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Oxford, MS: $70,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Oxford, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,193 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oxford's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,905 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,692) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective actuaries aiming for entry-level positions in Oxford, Mississippi, can expect a starting salary of around $70,193 in 2026. This figure represents a notable gap from the city's median annual salary of $109,692, indicating that new grads will need to spend several years advancing their careers to reach the median. With the growth trajectory projected at 3.20% annually, entry-level professionals might see their earnings increase through the years as they build their skills and credentials, moving from the P10 mark to the P25 level of $84,301 within just a few years. Overall, Oxford appears to be a reasonable market for recent graduates embarking upon their actuarial careers, offering opportunities for growth as they establish themselves in this profession.
About the Oxford Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oxford
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 Oxford
Entry-level actuarys in Oxford, MS typically start between $70,193 and $84,301 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $99,830 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,692 — 18.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Mississippi of $35,000 represents just 49.86% of the starting actuary pay ($70,193/year) in Oxford. 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 Oxford
- 1Research the Oxford market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,193 to $84,301, 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 Oxford, 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 Oxford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oxford'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 Oxford is $99,830 ( 142.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,193, experienced hygienists can earn up to $170,023.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,148
2025 BLS Actual
$68,016
2026 Current Est.
$70,193
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Oxford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,148 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,211 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,016 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,439 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Oxford, MS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,148 in 2019 to $68,016 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,439. New graduates entering the Oxford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxford 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 Oxford
Oxford hosts a variety of employers looking to hire fresh talent within the actuarial field. Large life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit actuaries from local universities, providing structured support for exam preparation as part of their onboarding process. Health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW are also key players in the job market, often seeking candidates who have passed foundational actuarial exams and hold relevant VEE credits. To enhance starting pay, new graduates should aim to progress through the exam pathway, with each passed exam potentially increasing base salary by $3,000 to $8,000. While an Associate (ASA) designation typically requires four to five years and multiple examinations to achieve, those aiming for Fellowship status (FSA) can look forward to significantly higher compensation from consulting firms that pay a premium for FSAs and FCAS. As these professionals complete their credentials, realistic salary growth in their initial years may place them on a promising path towards more substantial earnings in the future.
More salary data for Oxford, MS:
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 Oxford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oxford 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