Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Bartlesville, OK: $70,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Bartlesville, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,597 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bartlesville's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,412 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($117,009) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A career as an actuary right out of college in Bartlesville, Oklahoma offers new graduates a competitive starting salary, although it may not match the city’s median for all professionals. With a projected entry-level actuary salary of $70,597 in 2026, fresh graduates can expect to begin their career with a solid foundation, yet there remains a notable gap compared to the median annual salary of $117,009. Over the next few years, as professionals move from entry-level positions toward the 25th percentile, which sits at $86,764, there is a promising growth trajectory. Bartlesville's employment market remains viable for new entrants, particularly with an annual growth rate of 3.20%, indicating that the demand for actuaries in this region is stable and likely to increase, providing a pathway for career advancement.
About the Bartlesville Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bartlesville
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 Bartlesville
Entry-level actuarys in Bartlesville, OK typically start between $70,597 and $86,764 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $110,768 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $117,009 — 12.78% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oklahoma of $40,000 represents just 56.66% of the starting actuary pay ($70,597/year) in Bartlesville. 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 Bartlesville
- 1Research the Bartlesville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,597 to $86,764, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bartlesville, 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 Bartlesville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bartlesville'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 Bartlesville is $110,768 ( 156.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,597, experienced hygienists can earn up to $181,365.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,471
2025 BLS Actual
$68,408
2026 Current Est.
$70,597
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Bartlesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,471 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,479 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,631 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,234 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,856 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Bartlesville, OK grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,471 in 2019 to $68,408 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,856. New graduates entering the Bartlesville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlesville 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 Bartlesville
When considering potential employers in Bartlesville, firms such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual frequently seek entry-level actuarial talent through targeted recruitment efforts on college campuses. These employers offer structured support for exam preparation, which is vital for career growth. Pursuing additional credentials, such as an Associate designation (ASA/ACAS) and eventually a Fellowship (FSA/FCAS), will enhance starting pay and long-term earnings. For those committed to this profession, passing each actuarial exam can increase base pay by $3,000 to $8,000, making exam progression a central focus for new actuaries. Nevertheless, prospective employees in Bartlesville should remain adaptable, as the demand for skills in predictive analytics and data science is becoming increasingly relevant to the profession. Salary growth in the early years may reflect those who actively pursue credentials and skill development, leading to promising opportunities in both consulting and insurance sectors within the state.
More salary data for Bartlesville, OK:
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 Bartlesville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bartlesville 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