Entry-Level Actuary Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $70,861 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the St. Joseph, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,861 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out St. Joseph's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,086 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,552) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, new graduates pursuing careers as actuaries can anticipate starting salaries around $70,861 as projected for 2026. This entry-level figure represents a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $120,552. For recent graduates, the growth trajectory is promising; within the first three to five years, one can reasonably expect to see salary increases as they gain experience and potentially move up to the 25th percentile at $88,272. Given the competitive landscape and the city's affordability—with a lower cost of living index of 89.6—St. Joseph presents a viable market for those embarking on their actuarial careers.
About the St. Joseph Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in St. Joseph
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 St. Joseph
Entry-level actuarys in St. Joseph, MO typically start between $70,861 and $88,272 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $115,995 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,552 — 10.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 63.50% of the starting actuary pay ($70,861/year) in St. Joseph. 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 St. Joseph
- 1Research the St. Joseph market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,861 to $88,272, 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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5St. Joseph'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 St. Joseph is $115,995 ( 163.69%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,861, experienced hygienists can earn up to $186,856.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,683
2025 BLS Actual
$68,664
2026 Current Est.
$70,861
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,705 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,284 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,876 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,674 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,861 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,129 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in St. Joseph, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,683 in 2019 to $68,664 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,129. New graduates entering the St. Joseph job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, several employers actively seek to recruit new grads into the actuarial profession, including major life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, as well as health insurance providers that often have structured programs to support entry-level actuaries. Consulting firms such as Mercer and Aon also recruit candidates with strong academic backgrounds in actuarial science, especially those who have started their professional credentialing journey. Candidates can enhance their starting pay by attaining relevant credentials, such as the ASA designation, which typically requires passing five to seven exams and is essential for long-term career progression. For those aspiring to become FSA or FCAS, there is a direct correlation between exam success and salary growth. New actuaries can expect modest increases in their salary during their first few years as they progress through exams, with each passed exam often adding between $3,000 and $8,000 to their base pay. As demand for predictive analytics skills rises, those with expertise in this area will further increase their marketability and earning potential within the industry.
More salary data for St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Joseph 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