Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Raytown, MO: $76,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Raytown, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,452 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Raytown's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,326 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($116,028) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Raytown, Missouri, the starting salary for entry-level actuaries in 2026 is projected at $76,452. This figure reflects the early career stage of new graduates, distinguishing it significantly from the city median salary of $116,028. The gap of approximately $39,576 illustrates the typical financial progression for actuaries as they gain experience. Over the first three to five years in this role, individuals can expect to advance through a salary range that may take them from this entry-level pay to around $90,798 as they reach the 25th percentile. With an annual growth rate of 3.20%, Raytown presents a competitive environment for graduates looking to start their careers in actuarial science, particularly in light of other local job opportunities that emphasize strong mathematical and statistical skills.
About the Raytown Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Raytown
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 Raytown
Entry-level actuarys in Raytown, MO typically start between $76,452 and $90,798 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $103,392 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $116,028 — 13.52% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 58.86% of the starting actuary pay ($76,452/year) in Raytown. 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 Raytown
- 1Research the Raytown market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,452 to $90,798, 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 Raytown, 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 Raytown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Raytown'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 Raytown is $103,392 ( 135.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,452, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,844.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,154
2025 BLS Actual
$74,081
2026 Current Est.
$76,452
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Raytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,154 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,257 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,646 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,073 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,595 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,081 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,898 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Raytown, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,154 in 2019 to $74,081 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,898. New graduates entering the Raytown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raytown 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 Raytown
In Raytown, a variety of employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit and hire new graduates specializing in actuarial science. These companies often provide structured programs for campus recruits that include dedicated study time for actuarial exams, a crucial element for early-career growth. Similarly, health insurance companies and consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer seek out entry-level candidates who demonstrate proficiency in foundational skills, which can enhance initial salaries. Graduating with a degree in actuarial science or a related field is essential, along with passing the preliminary exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Each successfully passed exam generally results in a salary increase of $3,000 to $8,000, providing a clear financial incentive for new actuaries to prioritize their exam progression. Salary growth in the first few years often aligns with the achievement of credentials like the ASA, with those progressing toward the FSA seeing higher compensation, especially within consulting firms, making it imperative for new actuaries in MO to develop a strategy focused on gaining both professional qualifications and relevant market skills.
More salary data for Raytown, 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 Raytown. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Raytown 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