Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $72,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lee's Summit, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,223 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lee's Summit's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,606 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($119,152) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lee's Summit offers entry-level actuaries the opportunity to earn a starting salary of around $72,223 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $119,152. For new graduates just starting their careers, this salary represents the entry-level benchmark, with notable growth potential over the initial years. Graduates can anticipate gradual income increases, moving from the first percentile at $72,223 to the 25th percentile earning approximately $88,992 within their first few years, eventually approaching the city median as they gain experience and take on more responsibilities. Given these figures, Lee's Summit positions itself as a solid market for new actuarial graduates, especially considering its relatively lower cost of living index at 89.6 compared to the national average.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lee's Summit
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 Lee's Summit
Entry-level actuarys in Lee's Summit, MO typically start between $72,223 and $88,992 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $112,462 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $119,152 — 11.19% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 62.31% of the starting actuary pay ($72,223/year) in Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit
- 1Research the Lee's Summit market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,223 to $88,992, 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 Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lee's Summit'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 Lee's Summit is $112,462 ( 155.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,223, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,685.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,772
2025 BLS Actual
$69,984
2026 Current Est.
$72,223
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,814 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,347 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,918 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,143 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,892 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,535 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lee's Summit, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,772 in 2019 to $69,984 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,535. New graduates entering the Lee's Summit job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
In this region, large life insurers, such as Prudential and MetLife, are key players in hiring new actuaries, often developing recruitment pipelines directly from universities. Health insurance companies and consulting firms like Mercer and Aon are also significant employers looking to bring fresh talent into their teams. For a new grad actuary in MO, holding a relevant bachelor's degree and passing initial actuarial exams will bolster starting compensation. Each exam passed is typically associated with an additional income boost of $3,000 to $8,000, making exam progression a primary driver of salary growth. Additionally, trending skills in areas like predictive analytics and data science are increasingly valuable in the job market. Aspiring professionals should set realistic goals for their first three years, keeping in mind that their ability to progress from the entry-level pay towards more competitive salaries hinges on both their exam success and skill acquisition.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lee's Summit 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