Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Burlington, NC: $77,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Burlington, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,184 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,462 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,030) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial field in Burlington, North Carolina, can expect a starting salary around $77,184 in 2026, positioning them significantly below the median annual salary of $123,030 for all actuaries in the area. The gap between entry-level pay and the city median suggests that new grads have room to grow as they gain experience and take on more responsibility. Over the first few years, new actuaries can anticipate salary progression as they reach the 25th percentile at $94,019, potentially achieving substantial increases as they build their skills and education. With a projected growth rate of 3.20% annually, Burlington presents a reasonable market for entry-level actuaries, especially in light of its lower cost of living index at 93.6, which offers an affordable environment for early-career professionals.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level actuarys in Burlington, NC typically start between $77,184 and $94,019 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $113,512 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,030 — 8.3% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 58.30% of the starting actuary pay ($77,184/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $77,184 to $94,019, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington'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 Burlington is $113,512 ( 147.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,184, experienced hygienists can earn up to $190,696.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,740
2025 BLS Actual
$74,791
2026 Current Est.
$77,184
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,854 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,217 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,754 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,209 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,791 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,654 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,740 in 2019 to $74,791 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,654. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
Those aiming to enhance their new grad actuary pay in NC should consider targeting large life insurers such as Prudential and MetLife, which actively recruit from local campuses. These companies often provide structured pathways for exam study, which is vital for career advancement. Likewise, health insurance firms and consulting companies like Milliman and Mercer look for entry-level actuarial candidates who have passed relevant exams, as this can significantly boost their starting pay. Holding a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science or related fields, alongside VEE credits, positions candidates favorably. In the first one to three years, focusing on passing actuarial exams is crucial; each completed exam can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to their base salary. The promising trend of needing analytic skills enhances opportunities, particularly as firms increasingly seek candidates trained in data science. As actuaries progress to higher credentials such as ASA and eventually FSA, their earning potential rises considerably, reflecting their investment in professional development.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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