Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Wilson, NC: $78,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Wilson, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,095 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilson's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,435 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,379) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Wilson, North Carolina, the starting pay can be quite varied. The projected entry-level actuary salary for 2026 is around $78,095, which is notably lower than the city's median of $120,379. As early-career professionals advance from this starting point, they can expect to see salary growth through their initial years, with projections indicating increases to approximately $93,206 at the 25th percentile and further towards the median within the first three to five years. This growth trajectory reflects the opportunities available in Wilson, making it an appealing market for recent graduates aiming to launch their careers in the actuarial profession.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilson
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 Wilson
Entry-level actuarys in Wilson, NC typically start between $78,095 and $93,206 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $108,492 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,379 — 10.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 57.62% of the starting actuary pay ($78,095/year) in Wilson. 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 Wilson
- 1Research the Wilson market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $78,095 to $93,206, 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 Wilson, 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 Wilson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilson'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 Wilson is $108,492 ( 138.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,095, experienced hygienists can earn up to $186,587.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,469
2025 BLS Actual
$75,673
2026 Current Est.
$78,095
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,469 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,595 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,114 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,601 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,052 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,594 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Wilson, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,469 in 2019 to $75,673 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,594. New graduates entering the Wilson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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 Wilson
Employers in Wilson looking for new actuary talent include major life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer. These organizations actively recruit entry-level actuaries, offering structured exam study programs that can significantly enhance earnings. New grads with a bachelor’s degree in fields like mathematics or actuarial science can boost their starting salaries by passing actuarial exams, with each successfully completed exam typically adding between $3,000-$8,000 to their base pay. Achieving an ASA designation generally takes four to five years of examination, while attaining an FSA may require an additional three to five years and completion of up to ten exams. With the rising demand for predictive analytics and data science skills, early-career actuaries in Wilson who focus on these areas and progress through their exams can expect steady salary growth over their first few years in the industry.
More salary data for Wilson, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Wilson in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Wilson?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Wilson?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Wilson?
How do I become a actuary in North Carolina?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Wilson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilson 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