Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Stow, OH: $73,494 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Stow, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,494 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Stow's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,030 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,903) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Stow, Ohio, can expect to see starting pay around $73,494, a figure that represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level actuaries. This initial earnings potential is notably below the city's median annual salary of $115,903, indicating a substantial gap that may take several years to close as career progression and experience build. Over the first few years, actuaries can anticipate moving toward the 25th percentile at approximately $88,848, allowing for gradual salary growth. Given the local job market dynamics and a projected annual employment growth rate of 3.20%, Stow presents a reasonable opportunity for recent graduates to launch their careers, particularly as demand for qualified actuarial candidates continues to cultivate in the region.
About the Stow Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Stow
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 Stow
Entry-level actuarys in Stow, OH typically start between $73,494 and $88,848 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $106,156 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,903 — 13.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Ohio of $50,000 represents just 68.03% of the starting actuary pay ($73,494/year) in Stow. 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 Stow
- 1Research the Stow market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,494 to $88,848, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Stow, 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 Stow for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Stow'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 Stow is $106,156 ( 144.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,494, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,650.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,788
2025 BLS Actual
$71,215
2026 Current Est.
$73,494
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Stow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,849 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,042 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,324 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,079 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,215 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,494 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,846 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Stow, OH grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,788 in 2019 to $71,215 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,846. New graduates entering the Stow job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stow 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 Stow
Employers in Stow typically seeking to hire new graduates in this profession include large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often have structured pathways for campus recruitment and exam preparation. Additionally, health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW actively employ entry-level actuaries with strong academic backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. For those interested in advancing their careers, obtaining professional credentials like the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) can enhance earning potential significantly. Each passed actuarial exam can contribute an added $3,000 to $8,000 to a base salary, making exam progression a vital strategy during the first few years. Fulfilling the requirements for actuarial designations while acquiring necessary VEE credits will also provide an edge. As actuaries in Stow gain experience and potentially work towards Fellow designations, their compensation and career trajectory can considerably improve, aligning them more closely with national salary averages.
More salary data for Stow, OH:
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 Stow. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Stow 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