Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Long Beach, NY: $93,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Long Beach, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $93,851 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Long Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 115.9 — 16% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,976 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($153,271) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

New graduates entering the actuarial field in Long Beach, NY, can expect a starting salary of around $93,851 in 2026. This entry-level figure is significantly lower than the city's projected median annual salary of $153,271. However, there is a clear trajectory for growth; over the first few years, actuaries can anticipate moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $114,550 as they gain experience. Given the local economy and the demand for actuaries in various sectors, Long Beach presents a viable market for new graduates to initiate their careers, particularly with compensation aligning favorably against national benchmarks, as starting actuary salaries in this area are approximately 14.24% higher than the national median of $134,160.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Long Beach
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 Long Beach
Entry-level actuarys in Long Beach, NY typically start between $93,851 and $114,550 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $143,718 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $153,271 — 14.24% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in New York of $88,000 represents just 93.77% of the starting actuary pay ($93,851/year) in Long Beach. 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 Long Beach
- 1Research the Long Beach market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $93,851 to $114,550, 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 NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Long Beach's above-average cost of living (index: 115.9) 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 Long Beach is $143,718 ( 153.13%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $93,851, experienced hygienists can earn up to $237,569.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,072
2025 BLS Actual
$90,941
2026 Current Est.
$93,851
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,072 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,427 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,249 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,229 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,941 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,854 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Long Beach, NY grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $75,072 in 2019 to $90,941 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $96,854. New graduates entering the Long Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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 Long Beach
Employers in Long Beach actively seek out new graduates, particularly life insurance giants like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often have established campus recruiting programs. These companies provide structured support, including dedicated time for exam preparation, critical for career advancement. Health insurance companies also employ entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW seek associates who hold the ASA designation, offering higher starting pay. Growth in salary can be substantial, as passing actuarial exams—requiring up to 10 years for full qualification—can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to base compensation for each exam cleared. Within the first few years, early-career actuaries can realistically expect to see their salaries increase, especially if they acquire credentials and skills in predictive analytics or data science, which are increasingly becoming standard requirements in the industry.
More salary data for Long Beach, NY:
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 Long Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach 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