Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Jefferson City, MO: $72,645 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Jefferson City, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,645 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jefferson City's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,077 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,516) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A new graduate stepping into the actuarial profession in Jefferson City, Missouri, can expect a starting actuary salary in the range of $72,645, reflecting the lower end of the pay spectrum for entry-level positions. This initial salary is notably lower than the city’s median annual compensation of $114,516, which could lead to some initial disillusionment for newcomers. However, the journey from this entry-level point shows potential for growth; many early-career actuaries can anticipate salaries climbing to approximately $87,807 as they move toward the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median within their first 3 to 5 years of experience. Jefferson City, with its reasonable cost of living index at 89.6, presents itself as a reasonable market for aspiring actuaries eager to embark on their careers while balancing their salaries against living expenses.
About the Jefferson City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jefferson City
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 Jefferson City
Entry-level actuarys in Jefferson City, MO typically start between $72,645 and $87,807 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $104,855 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,516 — 14.64% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 61.95% of the starting actuary pay ($72,645/year) in Jefferson City. 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 Jefferson City
- 1Research the Jefferson City market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,645 to $87,807, 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 MO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jefferson City'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 Jefferson City is $104,855 ( 144.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,645, experienced hygienists can earn up to $177,500.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,109
2025 BLS Actual
$70,392
2026 Current Est.
$72,645
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,109 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,157 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,676 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,291 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,534 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,255 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,392 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,645 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,969 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Jefferson City, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,109 in 2019 to $70,392 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,969. New graduates entering the Jefferson City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
When considering where to launch a career, it is helpful for new grads to recognize that prominent employers in Jefferson City, such as life insurance giants Prudential and MetLife, often target recent graduates from local universities through structured recruitment programs. Along with these major players, health insurance companies and consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer actively seek entry-level talent, particularly those who are proactively progressing through their actuarial exams. Obtaining a relevant bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science is fundamental, and passing the initial exams set by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) can significantly enhance a candidate's attractiveness, with each successful exam typically translating to an additional $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. For ambitious recent graduates, establishing a clear path toward obtaining higher credentials, such as the ASA designation, and eventually pursuing fellowship within a specialized field over the next several years can lead to increased opportunities in a dynamic job market and better than average compensation growth in the industry.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
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 Jefferson City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jefferson City 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