Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Monroe, NC: $78,791 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Monroe, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,791 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Monroe's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,178 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,740) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting a career as an actuary in Monroe, North Carolina, offers new graduates a starting salary around $78,791 in 2026, which aligns closely with the entry-level thresholds within the state. This figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $120,740, highlighting the growth potential that comes with career advancement. Early in an actuary’s career, these professionals can expect to move from the P10 level to the P25 threshold of $93,921 within the first few years as they gain experience and potentially additional credits. The market in Monroe is currently supportive for new graduates, given the expected 3.20% annual growth rate in salaries, indicating that opportunities exist for entry-level actuaries to establish themselves in a competitive yet manageable environment.
About the Monroe Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Monroe
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 Monroe
Entry-level actuarys in Monroe, NC typically start between $78,791 and $93,921 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $108,356 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,740 — 10% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 57.11% of the starting actuary pay ($78,791/year) in Monroe. 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 Monroe
- 1Research the Monroe market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $78,791 to $93,921, 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 Monroe, 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 Monroe for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Monroe'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 Monroe is $108,356 ( 137.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,791, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,147.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,026
2025 BLS Actual
$76,348
2026 Current Est.
$78,791
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,026 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,163 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,471 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,731 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,791 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,312 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Monroe, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,026 in 2019 to $76,348 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,312. New graduates entering the Monroe job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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 Monroe
Local employers hiring entry-level actuaries in Monroe include major life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, which actively recruit through college campus partnerships and offer structured study time for actuarial exams. Additionally, health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer are valuable avenues for new grads, especially those with Associate credentials. Successful candidates typically hold a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics or actuarial science and have begun passing necessary actuarial exams through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Given that each passed exam can enhance compensation by $3,000 to $8,000, entering a consulting role may offer a more lucrative path, especially for those aspiring to achieve fellowship status (FSA/FCAS). New entrants can expect realistic salary growth during the first three years, particularly if they align their continuing education efforts with industry demands for skills in predictive analytics and data science.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 Monroe. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Monroe 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