Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Kearney, NE: $77,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Kearney, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,064 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kearney's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,223 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($118,211) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of actuarial science in Kearney, Nebraska, starting salaries are projected to be around $77,064 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap when compared to the overall city median salary of $118,211, which indicates that early-career professionals will likely earn less than their seasoned counterparts. However, as new actuaries gain experience, they can realistically expect progression through the salary brackets, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, reaching approximately $92,173 within their first few years. With a year-over-year growth rate of 3.20%, Kearney remains a viable market for fresh graduates looking to start their careers in this domain, as the local salary levels ultimately reflect the broader trends in the actuarial job market.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kearney
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 Kearney
Entry-level actuarys in Kearney, NE typically start between $77,064 and $92,173 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $106,163 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $118,211 — 11.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Nebraska of $45,000 represents just 58.39% of the starting actuary pay ($77,064/year) in Kearney. 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 Kearney
- 1Research the Kearney market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $77,064 to $92,173, 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 Kearney, 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 Kearney for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kearney'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 Kearney is $106,163 ( 137.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,064, experienced hygienists can earn up to $183,227.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,644
2025 BLS Actual
$74,674
2026 Current Est.
$77,064
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,644 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,756 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,123 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,202 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,642 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,122 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,674 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,530 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Kearney, NE grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,644 in 2019 to $74,674 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,530. New graduates entering the Kearney job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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 Kearney
In Kearney, major employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively scout for new graduates, often offering structured pathways for exam preparation and development. Health insurance companies also recruit entry-level actuaries to support their analytical needs, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW typically offer higher starting salaries for candidates holding ASA credentials. To boost immediate salary potential, candidates should aim to secure their Bachelor's in relevant fields such as mathematics or actuarial science, and prioritize completing initial actuarial exams, as passing these significantly increases earning potential. Each passed exam can contribute an additional $3,000 to $8,000 to a salary, with sustained career growth hinging on continued education and credentialing. Thus, those entering the profession in Kearney should strategize their first few years with a strong focus on exam completion and skill expansion in predictive analytics and data science to enhance their market value.
More salary data for Kearney, 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 Kearney. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearney 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