Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Syracuse, NY: $53,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Syracuse, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,540 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Syracuse's local price level (BEA RPP 95.7 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,921 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,676) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Syracuse, the 2026 starting actuary salary is projected at $53,540, significantly lower than the city median annual salary of $104,676. This gap suggests that while there is room for growth, entry-level positions may initially feel less rewarding financially. Over the first few years, it is realistic for early-career actuaries to expect their pay to reach $65,553 at the 25th percentile and eventually meet the median salary as they gain experience and credentials. With a growth rate of 3.20% annually projected for this occupation, Syracuse remains a viable market for new grads, especially considering the local cost of living index is below the national average, providing a somewhat favorable environment for those starting their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Syracuse
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 Syracuse
Entry-level actuarys in Syracuse, NY typically start between $53,540 and $65,553 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $162,839 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,676 — 21.98% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in New York of $88,000 represents just 164.36% of the starting actuary pay ($53,540/year) in Syracuse. 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 Syracuse
- 1Research the Syracuse market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $53,540 to $65,553, 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 Syracuse, 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 Syracuse for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Syracuse's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Syracuse is $162,839 ( 304.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,540, experienced hygienists can earn up to $216,379.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,920
2025 BLS Actual
$51,880
2026 Current Est.
$53,540
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.6%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,253 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Syracuse, NY grew -10.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,920 in 2019 to $51,880 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,253. New graduates entering the Syracuse job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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 Syracuse
In Syracuse, various employers actively seek entry-level actuaries, including prominent life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, which typically recruit from local universities. These companies offer structured pathways for exam preparation, creating a solid start for graduates. Health insurance companies, alongside consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW, also value early-career talent, although they often offer higher compensation for candidates with advanced credentials. With starting salaries being heavily influenced by exam progression, newly minted graduates should focus on passing actuarial exams as each accomplishment can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to their paycheck. To enhance their marketability in New York and gain additional advantages, aspiring actuaries should pursue relevant VEE credits and aim for the ASA designation within the first few years, paving the way toward a more lucrative FSA or FCAS designation down the line.
More salary data for Syracuse, 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 Syracuse. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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