Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Wildwood, MO: $74,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Wildwood, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,185 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wildwood's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,796 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($119,253) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the actuarial field in Wildwood, Missouri, can expect a starting salary around $74,185 in 2026. While this figure is significantly below the city median salary of $119,253, new actuaries have the potential for substantial growth in their early careers. The first few years can see a gradual increase as new professionals progress to the 25th percentile, which is estimated at $90,082. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, the trajectory suggests that with the right credentials and experience, entry-level actuaries can roughly align their earnings closer to the median within three to five years. Given the competitive pay structure, Wildwood offers a reasonable market for new graduates looking to start their careers in actuarial science.
About the Wildwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wildwood
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 Wildwood
Entry-level actuarys in Wildwood, MO typically start between $74,185 and $90,082 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $110,657 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $119,253 — 11.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Missouri of $45,000 represents just 60.66% of the starting actuary pay ($74,185/year) in Wildwood. 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 Wildwood
- 1Research the Wildwood market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,185 to $90,082, 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 Wildwood, 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 Wildwood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wildwood'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 Wildwood is $110,657 ( 149.16%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,185, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,842.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,341
2025 BLS Actual
$71,885
2026 Current Est.
$74,185
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,341 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,412 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,878 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,585 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,559 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Wildwood, MO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,341 in 2019 to $71,885 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,559. New graduates entering the Wildwood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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 Wildwood
Companies in Wildwood that hire entry-level actuaries include large life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, along with consulting agencies such as Milliman and Mercer, which also recruit through campus connections. These employers often emphasize the importance of passing actuarial exams, as certifications, like the ASA, can significantly enhance starting actuary pay in MO. Entry-level professionals are typically encouraged to pursue VEE credits in subjects like accounting and economics while preparing for the arduous exam pathway that may take four to five years to pass successfully. The nature of the actuarial market also allows for graduated pay increases: each passed exam can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to a base salary, and expertise in predictive analytics or data science is becoming increasingly valuable. Early-career actuaries in Wildwood can anticipate reasonable salary growth, with realistic expectations leading to earned advancement as they accumulate experience and credentials.
More salary data for Wildwood, 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 Wildwood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wildwood 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