Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $93,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lakewood, NJ job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $93,180 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lakewood's local price level (BEA RPP 115.2 — 15% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,885 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($153,344) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salaries for new actuaries embarking on their careers in Lakewood, New Jersey, present a promising picture for 2026, with starting positions projected to yield around $93,180. This entry-level figure, while significantly lower than the city’s median salary of $153,344, lays a solid foundation for earnings growth as professionals progress in their careers. New graduates can anticipate a steady upward trajectory, moving from the P10 figure through to the P25 and eventually reaching the median, indicating a rewarding path as experience and qualifications accumulate. With a projected growth rate of 3.20% annually, Lakewood remains an attractive location for budding actuaries, who can take advantage of a solid job market that increasingly recognizes the value of this expertise.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lakewood
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 Lakewood
Entry-level actuarys in Lakewood, NJ typically start between $93,180 and $114,705 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $144,503 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $153,344 — 14.3% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in New Jersey of $70,000 represents just 75.12% of the starting actuary pay ($93,180/year) in Lakewood. 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 Lakewood
- 1Research the Lakewood market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $93,180 to $114,705, 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Lakewood'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 Lakewood is $144,503 ( 155.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $93,180, experienced hygienists can earn up to $237,683.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,536
2025 BLS Actual
$90,291
2026 Current Est.
$93,180
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,536 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,697 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,465 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,625 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,162 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lakewood, NJ grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $74,536 in 2019 to $90,291 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $96,162. New graduates entering the Lakewood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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 Lakewood
In Lakewood, several prominent employers actively seek to hire new graduates in the actuarial field. Leading life insurers like Prudential and MetLife often engage with actuarial students through campus programs, providing structured support for exam preparation. Health insurers and consulting firms, such as Milliman and Mercer, also recruit entry-level actuaries, with consulting roles typically offering higher initial salaries for those with Associate-level credentials. To enhance their starting actuary salary in Lakewood, new grads are encouraged to pursue relevant educational qualifications in mathematics or statistics, along with passing actuarial exams required by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). As passing each exam can add $3,000 to $8,000 to their base salary, the strategic pursuit of credentials and continuous education can significantly impact earning potential during the pivotal early years of their careers.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 Lakewood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood 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