Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Maryland Heights, MO: $71,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Maryland Heights, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,449 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Maryland Heights's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,742 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($118,061) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For recent graduates in Maryland Heights looking to enter the actuary profession, the outlook for 2026 indicates a starting salary around $71,449, considerably lower than the city’s median annual pay of $118,061. This gap suggests that while the potential for higher earnings exists as one gains experience, new actuaries will start their careers at a level that may require patience and strategic planning to advance. Over the first few years, an early-career actuary can expect to grow their salary to around $87,706 as they build experience and pass preliminary actuarial exams. For new grads, Maryland Heights appears to be a favorable market for launching an actuarial career, particularly due to its proximity to larger firms and the overall stability of the industry.
About the Maryland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Maryland Heights
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 Maryland Heights
Entry-level actuarys in Maryland Heights, MO typically start between $71,449 and $87,706 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $111,545 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $118,061 — 12% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 62.98% of the starting actuary pay ($71,449/year) in Maryland Heights. 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 Maryland Heights
- 1Research the Maryland Heights market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $71,449 to $87,706, 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 Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Maryland Heights'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 Maryland Heights is $111,545 ( 156.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,449, experienced hygienists can earn up to $182,994.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,153
2025 BLS Actual
$69,234
2026 Current Est.
$71,449
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Maryland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,184 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,743 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,234 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,736 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Maryland Heights, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,153 in 2019 to $69,234 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,736. New graduates entering the Maryland Heights job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights
In Maryland Heights, prominent employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual are routinely engaged in recruiting actuarial students, often providing support for structured exam study periods, which can enhance starting pay and career advancement. Health insurance companies and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW also seek entry-level actuaries, typically offering higher compensation for those with skills and credits such as VEE in economics or mathematics. For upward mobility, obtaining an ASA credential is crucial; each passed exam significantly boosts base salary—often adding $3,000 to $8,000 per milestone. Entry-level actuaries who strategically navigate these initial years, focusing on continuing education and exam progression, can anticipate realistic salary increases as they work through the ASA to FSA pathway, which strengthens their position in the competitive landscape of actuarial science.
More salary data for Maryland Heights, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Maryland Heights in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Maryland Heights?
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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 Maryland Heights. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Maryland Heights 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