Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Leland, NC: $77,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Leland, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,984 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leland's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,316 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($116,609) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those embarking on a career as an actuary in Leland, North Carolina, the starting pay for entry-level positions is projected at around $77,984 in 2026. Graduates entering the field can expect a significant gap compared to the overall city median salary of $116,609. However, this starting figure is not without potential; over the first few years, early-career actuaries can anticipate a gradual rise in compensation, moving towards the 25th percentile at $91,658 and ultimately aiming for the median. With a growth rate of 3.20% annualized over the next five years, Leland provides a solid market for new graduates, particularly given its competitive cost of living index, which stands at 93.6—indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to the national average.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leland
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 Leland
Entry-level actuarys in Leland, NC typically start between $77,984 and $91,658 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,759 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $116,609 — 13.08% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 57.70% of the starting actuary pay ($77,984/year) in Leland. 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 Leland
- 1Research the Leland market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $77,984 to $91,658, 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 Leland, 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 Leland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leland'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 Leland is $102,759 ( 131.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,984, experienced hygienists can earn up to $180,743.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,380
2025 BLS Actual
$75,566
2026 Current Est.
$77,984
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,505 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,841 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,016 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,566 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,480 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Leland, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,380 in 2019 to $75,566 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,480. New graduates entering the Leland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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 Leland
In Leland, several employers actively recruit entry-level actuaries, including major insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often have established campus recruitment programs. These organizations provide structured exam study opportunities—a significant benefit for new grads aiming to pass actuarial exams. Health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and Willis Towers Watson also present viable options, with the latter typically offering higher compensation for ASA-credentialed analysts. New actuaries will find that enhancing their credentials, particularly through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) programs, is critical to not only improving starting pay in North Carolina but also boosting long-term earnings potential. Each passed exam within the progression can add $3,000 to $8,000 to their base salary, with consulting firms paying a premium for FSAs and FCAS. Therefore, setting realistic salary growth expectations during the first three years—rooted in exam success and professional development—will be crucial for new grads entering this dynamic field.
More salary data for Leland, 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 Leland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leland 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