Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Bellevue, NE: $72,383 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Bellevue, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,383 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bellevue's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,107 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($118,870) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Considering a career in actuarial science? In Bellevue, Nebraska, the anticipated entry-level actuary salary is set at $72,383 for 2026, marking a noticeable starting point for new graduates. Compared to the city’s median annual salary of $118,870, entry-level positions come with a clear gap, but substantial growth potential exists within the first few years. As actuaries gain experience, the compensation can rise, with earnings increasing towards the $89,197 mark at the 25th percentile and reaching the median. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Bellevue can be an attractive market for recent graduates aiming to establish themselves in the industry, especially as they work towards obtaining necessary credentials.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bellevue
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 Bellevue
Entry-level actuarys in Bellevue, NE typically start between $72,383 and $89,197 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $111,865 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $118,870 — 11.4% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Nebraska of $45,000 represents just 62.17% of the starting actuary pay ($72,383/year) in Bellevue. 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 Bellevue
- 1Research the Bellevue market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,383 to $89,197, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bellevue, 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 Bellevue for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bellevue'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 Bellevue is $111,865 ( 154.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,383, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,248.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,900
2025 BLS Actual
$70,139
2026 Current Est.
$72,383
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,945 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,472 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,291 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,022 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,139 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,383 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,700 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Bellevue, NE grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,900 in 2019 to $70,139 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,700. New graduates entering the Bellevue job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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 Bellevue
In Bellevue, leading employers that actively recruit entry-level actuaries include major life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurers and consulting giants such as Aon and Mercer. New grads can benefit significantly from structured campus recruitment programs that often include time for exam preparation. Furthermore, those enhancing their qualifications by passing actuarial exams through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) can expect a boost in their starting pay in Nebraska. Achieving credentials like the ASA can take about four to five years and involve passing multiple exams, which typically adds between $3,000 and $8,000 to base salaries with each completed exam. Hence, new actuaries should focus on strategically preparing for these certifications, as acquiring foundational knowledge in predictive analytics or data science may further enhance their marketability and influence their compensation trajectory in years one to three.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
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 Bellevue. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bellevue 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