Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Wentzville, MO: $73,360 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Wentzville, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,360 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wentzville's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,875 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,619) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates seeking careers as actuaries in Wentzville, Missouri, the starting pay reflects both the city's unique labor market and broader industry trends. Entry-level actuaries can expect a starting salary around $73,360, which is significantly below the median annual salary of $114,619 for the region. However, aspiring actuaries should view this gap not as a disadvantage but as a pathway to growth. Over the initial 3-5 years, entry-level wages can progress through the P25 threshold of $85,462, with steady movement toward the median as experience and professional qualifications increase. With a growth rate of 3.20% projected annually, Wentzville presents a promising environment for new grads eager to establish themselves in the actuarial field.
About the Wentzville Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wentzville
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 Wentzville
Entry-level actuarys in Wentzville, MO typically start between $73,360 and $85,462 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $104,300 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,619 — 14.57% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 61.34% of the starting actuary pay ($73,360/year) in Wentzville. 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 Wentzville
- 1Research the Wentzville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,360 to $85,462, 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 Wentzville, 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 Wentzville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wentzville'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 Wentzville is $104,300 ( 142.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,360, experienced hygienists can earn up to $177,660.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,681
2025 BLS Actual
$71,085
2026 Current Est.
$73,360
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wentzville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,681 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,199 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,885 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,360 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,707 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Wentzville, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,681 in 2019 to $71,085 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,707. New graduates entering the Wentzville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wentzville 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 Wentzville
New professionals entering the workforce should consider the types of employers prevalent in Wentzville when mapping their career trajectories. Large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual frequently recruit entry-level actuaries, offering structured exam support as part of their developmental programs. Health insurers and consulting firms, such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW, are also notable employers that actively seek entry-level talent and often provide higher starting salaries for those holding the Associate designation (ASA/ACAS). Achieving credentials through organizations like the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) rewards early-career actuaries with boosted salaries thanks to the industry’s focus on exam advancement. Each passed exam typically adds between $3,000 and $8,000 to the Base salary, creating substantial financial incentives to continue education and complete the ASA to FSA progression. For entry-level actuaries in Wentzville, focusing on obtaining VEE credits and enhancing data analytics capabilities is vital for staying competitive and maximizing earning potential in the transferable insurance and consulting sectors.
More salary data for Wentzville, 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 Wentzville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wentzville 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