Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Webster Groves, MO: $74,033 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Webster Groves, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,033 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Webster Groves's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,626 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,449) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the actuarial field in Webster Groves, Missouri, presents a solid opportunity for new graduates, with starting salaries projected in 2026 around $74,033. This figure marks a notable gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $115,449, which highlights the growth potential as new professionals gain experience. Over the initial three to five years, entry-level actuaries can anticipate moving along the salary spectrum from the 10th percentile, reflecting the entry-level pay, to the 25th percentile at approximately $88,437. Given the local job market dynamics and a projected growth rate of 3.20%, Webster Groves appears to be a favorable location for early-career actuaries, especially as they balance exam progression with practical experience.
About the Webster Groves Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Webster Groves
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 Webster Groves
Entry-level actuarys in Webster Groves, MO typically start between $74,033 and $88,437 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,013 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,449 — 13.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 60.78% of the starting actuary pay ($74,033/year) in Webster Groves. 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 Webster Groves
- 1Research the Webster Groves market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,033 to $88,437, 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 Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Webster Groves'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 Webster Groves is $102,013 ( 137.79%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,033, experienced hygienists can earn up to $176,046.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,219
2025 BLS Actual
$71,737
2026 Current Est.
$74,033
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Webster Groves (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,219 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,288 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,758 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,451 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,737 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,033 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,402 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Webster Groves, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,219 in 2019 to $71,737 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,402. New graduates entering the Webster Groves job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Webster Groves 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 Webster Groves
Several prominent employers in Webster Groves actively recruit recent graduates, including major life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which often provide structured programs that support exam preparation while investing in new talent. Health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer also look for candidates with a strong educational background, particularly in mathematics or statistics, in addition to credentials from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). For those aspiring to maximize their earning potential, passing actuarial exams is key; each successful exam can lead to a significant salary bump of $3,000 to $8,000. While the entry-level actuary salary in Webster Groves may start lower than the national average, the path to advancement through qualifications such as Employer-sponsored associate (ASA) and fellow (FSA) credentials presents a strategic way to enhance both professional value and pay in the long run.
More salary data for Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Webster Groves 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