Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Wilmington, NC: $77,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Wilmington, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,703 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilmington's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,016 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($125,516) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Wilmington, North Carolina, starting salaries for entry-level positions are projected to be around $77,703 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the median annual salary for actuaries in the city, which stands at $125,516, highlighting a substantial gap for fresh talent. However, as new actuaries advance in their careers, they can expect to see growth from this initial figure, with earnings potentially reaching around $94,974 at the 25th percentile over a few years. The Wilmington market presents a favorable environment for fresh graduates due to its moderate cost of living, promoting a manageable transition into the profession while offering ample opportunities for advancement.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilmington
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 Wilmington
Entry-level actuarys in Wilmington, NC typically start between $77,703 and $94,974 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $116,847 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $125,516 — 6.44% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 57.91% of the starting actuary pay ($77,703/year) in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington
- 1Research the Wilmington market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $77,703 to $94,974, 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilmington'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 Wilmington is $116,847 ( 150.38%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,703, experienced hygienists can earn up to $194,550.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,156
2025 BLS Actual
$75,294
2026 Current Est.
$77,703
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,156 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,277 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,768 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,693 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,294 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,190 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Wilmington, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,156 in 2019 to $75,294 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,190. New graduates entering the Wilmington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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 Wilmington
In Wilmington, major employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit entry-level actuaries, providing structured pathways for new grads and exam study time. Additionally, firms like Milliman and Mercer may offer lucrative positions for those with ASA credentials. A strong educational background in math, statistics, or actuarial science is essential, but it’s the completion of actuarial exams that can really enhance starting pay in this region. Passing each exam can incrementally boost base salaries by $3,000 to $8,000. The average time frame of 4-5 years to obtain an ASA credential and 7-10 years for an FSA designation aligns with realistic growth trajectories in this job market. Therefore, new actuaries in Wilmington should focus not only on securing entry-level roles but also on strategically progressing through exams and developing skills in predictive analytics and data science to maximize their earning potential going forward.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 Wilmington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilmington 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