Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $75,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Winston-Salem, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,483 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Winston-Salem's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,644 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,142) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates stepping into the actuarial field, Winston-Salem offers a starting actuary salary that typically begins around $75,483. Although this entry-level compensation is noticeably below the city's median of $130,142, it sets the stage for a lucrative career trajectory. Within the first few years, entry-level actuaries can expect their pay to rise as they gain experience and work toward achieving further qualifications, moving closer to the median salary as they advance through the pay range. Overall, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Winston-Salem presents a favorable market for fresh graduates eager to embark on their actuarial careers.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem
Entry-level actuarys in Winston-Salem, NC typically start between $75,483 and $93,703 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $126,238 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,142 — 2.99% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 59.62% of the starting actuary pay ($75,483/year) in Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem
- 1Research the Winston-Salem market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $75,483 to $93,703, 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 Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Winston-Salem'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 Winston-Salem is $126,238 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,483, experienced hygienists can earn up to $201,721.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,379
2025 BLS Actual
$73,142
2026 Current Est.
$75,483
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,379 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,802 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,172 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,329 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,142 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,898 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Winston-Salem, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,379 in 2019 to $73,142 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,898. New graduates entering the Winston-Salem job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
Entry-level actuaries in Winston-Salem often find opportunities with large life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, which specifically target recent grads through structured recruitment efforts. Health insurers also hire new actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, and Aon offer positions that favor candidates with ASA credentials. To enhance their marketability, new grads should focus on obtaining their credentials from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) by passing exams and gaining VEE credits in economics, accounting, and mathematical topics. The roadmap to becoming an ASA typically requires passing 5-7 exams over 4-5 years, while achieving Fellowship usually takes 7-10 years and additional exams. As actuaries progress through their early careers, passing each exam can significantly boost their starting pay by adding anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 to their base salary, underscoring the examination pathway as a crucial factor in salary growth in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Winston-Salem 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