Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Mandan, ND: $70,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Mandan, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,079 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mandan's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,173 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,108) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new actuarial graduates entering the job market in Mandan, North Dakota, the anticipated starting actuary salary in 2026 is approximately $70,079, which is significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $103,108. This gap highlights the difference between entry-level positions and more experienced roles. New graduates can expect to see their salaries gradually increase as they gain experience and credentials, with projections indicating growth from the entry-level starting point to $79,535 at the 25th percentile. Thus, for those considering a career in this field, Mandan presents a realistic opportunity for growth, particularly as the demand for actuaries continues, underscoring the potential for salary increases over the initial years.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mandan
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 Mandan
Entry-level actuarys in Mandan, ND typically start between $70,079 and $79,535 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $89,739 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,108 — 23.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Dakota of $42,000 represents just 59.93% of the starting actuary pay ($70,079/year) in Mandan. 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 Mandan
- 1Research the Mandan market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,079 to $79,535, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mandan, 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 Mandan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mandan'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 Mandan is $89,739 ( 128.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,079, experienced hygienists can earn up to $159,818.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,057
2025 BLS Actual
$67,906
2026 Current Est.
$70,079
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,057 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,068 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,674 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,149 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,666 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,906 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,322 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Mandan, ND grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,057 in 2019 to $67,906 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,322. New graduates entering the Mandan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mandan 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 Mandan
In Mandan, large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife are among the primary employers that recruit recent graduates for entry-level actuary positions. These companies often create pathways for actuarial students through structured training programs that support exam preparation. Additionally, consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer seek out candidates who have begun obtaining their credentials. For new grads, securing a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science is essential, and passing initial actuarial exams is crucial for salary progression. Each exam passed can result in an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base pay. The path to obtaining an ASA credential typically involves several years of study and exams, while advancing to FSA status can take even longer. As the actuarial landscape in ND continues to evolve, predictive analytics and data science skills are becoming increasingly necessary, making those new graduates with a strong foundation in these areas more competitive in the job market.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
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 Mandan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mandan 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