Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Raleigh, NC: $74,737 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Raleigh, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,737 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Raleigh's local price level (BEA RPP 98.2 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,140 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($146,730) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, individuals entering the actuarial profession can anticipate an entry-level salary around $74,737 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $146,730, indicating a considerable gap as new graduates begin their careers. However, the growth trajectory for these early-career professionals is promising. With experience, salaries can rise to $86,750 within the first few years, making the path to the median much more attainable. This competitive entry-level market, combined with Raleigh’s relatively favorable cost of living index, makes it a worthy destination for new graduates seeking to launch their careers as actuaries.
Career Earnings Timeline in Raleigh
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 Raleigh
Entry-level actuarys in Raleigh, NC typically start between $74,737 and $86,750 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $125,296 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $146,730 — 9.37% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 60.21% of the starting actuary pay ($74,737/year) in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh
- 1Research the Raleigh market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,737 to $86,750, 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Raleigh'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 Raleigh is $125,296 ( 167.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,737, experienced hygienists can earn up to $200,033.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,840
2025 BLS Actual
$72,420
2026 Current Est.
$74,737
2019–2027 Growth
+17.1%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,737 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,129 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Raleigh, NC grew 10.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,840 in 2019 to $72,420 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,129. New graduates entering the Raleigh job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Hiring opportunities for recent graduates in Raleigh are available across various sectors, including large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit directly from colleges and provide structured exam preparation time. Health insurance companies also actively seek entry-level actuaries, as do consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW, where ASA-credentialed analysts typically earn higher starting pays. Holding a bachelor's degree in fields like mathematics or actuarial science, alongside passing initial actuarial exams, is crucial to boosting starting salaries. With every passed exam generally leading to an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary, new actuaries can expect meaningful pay growth within their first 1-3 years in Raleigh, aligning with the rising demand for skills in predictive analytics and data science in the industry.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh. 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