Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $79,414 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Wake Forest, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,414 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wake Forest's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,844 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,806) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the actuarial profession in Wake Forest, North Carolina, can set new graduates on a promising career path, though it's essential to have realistic salary expectations. For those beginning their journey, the starting actuary salary in Wake Forest is projected to be around $79,414 in 2026, opening the door to further financial growth over the first few years. Comparatively, the city’s median annual salary stands at $123,806, indicating a significant gap that graduates can bridge by gaining experience and passing actuarial exams. Given the anticipated 3.20% growth per year and the trajectory from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, actuaries can realistically expect their salaries to climb as they progress through their early careers in this favorable job market.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wake Forest
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 Wake Forest
Entry-level actuarys in Wake Forest, NC typically start between $79,414 and $92,829 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $112,485 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,806 — 7.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 56.67% of the starting actuary pay ($79,414/year) in Wake Forest. 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 Wake Forest
- 1Research the Wake Forest market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,414 to $92,829, 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 Wake Forest, 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 Wake Forest for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wake Forest'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 Wake Forest is $112,485 ( 141.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,414, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,899.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,524
2025 BLS Actual
$76,952
2026 Current Est.
$79,414
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,957 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,282 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,828 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,952 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,414 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,956 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Wake Forest, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,524 in 2019 to $76,952 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,956. New graduates entering the Wake Forest job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest
Several employers in Wake Forest are actively seeking to recruit new graduates in the actuarial field, particularly large life insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual. These companies typically engage with universities to build a pipeline for actuarial talent, often providing structured support for exam preparation. Additionally, health insurance firms and consulting organizations—including Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW—also offer roles for entry-level actuaries. Credentials play a vital role in advancing salary prospects in NC; new grads with degrees in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or finance can significantly benefit, especially when paired with successful exam completions. Notably, passing SOA or CAS examinations can lead to annual increases in pay ranging from $3,000 to $8,000, making early exam progress crucial for financial advancement. For those planning to transition from the ASA to FSA level, the typical timeframe of 4-5 years necessitates a strategy that utilizes market demand for predictive analytics and data science skills in conjunction with actuarial expertise, which is paramount for maximizing starting actuary salary potential in Wake Forest.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 Wake Forest. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wake Forest 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