Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Kearny, NJ: $99,068 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Kearny, NJ job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $99,068 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kearny's local price level (BEA RPP 115.2 — 15% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,997 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($149,514) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the actuarial field in Kearny, NJ, can expect a starting salary of approximately $99,068 in 2026, presenting a significant gap when compared to the city's median salary of $149,514. This initial figure positions new actuaries at a competitive starting point that, with experience and progression, can lead to an increase to around $117,412 as they reach the 25th percentile over a few years. For those advancing their careers and accumulating experience, salaries can further rise as one attains the median or higher within the first three to five years. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Kearny serves as a robust market for recent graduates seeking to establish themselves in the actuarial profession, particularly in an environment that values continuous learning and credential progression.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kearny
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 Kearny
Entry-level actuarys in Kearny, NJ typically start between $99,068 and $117,412 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,679 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $149,514 — 11.44% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in New Jersey of $70,000 represents just 70.66% of the starting actuary pay ($99,068/year) in Kearny. 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 Kearny
- 1Research the Kearny market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $99,068 to $117,412, 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 NJ often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kearny, 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 Kearny for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Kearny's above-average cost of living (index: 115.2) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Kearny is $132,679 ( 133.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $99,068, experienced hygienists can earn up to $231,747.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,245
2025 BLS Actual
$95,996
2026 Current Est.
$99,068
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,245 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,676 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,098 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,068 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,238 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Kearny, NJ grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $79,245 in 2019 to $95,996 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $102,238. New graduates entering the Kearny job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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 Kearny
In Kearny, local employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit entry-level actuaries, especially from college campuses where structured exam study time is part of the onboarding process. Health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer also tap into this talent pool, often favoring candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. To boost earning potential, new graduates should focus on passing actuarial exams administered by SOA or CAS, as each passed exam can increase their base salary by $3,000 to $8,000. Early-career actuaries typically aim for the ASA credential within 4-5 years or the FSA after a longer period, which introduces further financial benefits. Those with additional skills in predictive analytics or data science will find even greater opportunities in the dynamic landscape of the actuarial workforce in Kearny, enhancing their growth potential considerably in the first few years on the job.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
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 Kearny. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearny 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