Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Bixby, OK: $74,132 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Bixby, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,132 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bixby's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,388 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,316) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a starting salary for entry-level actuaries projected at $74,132 in 2026, new graduates in Bixby, Oklahoma, can expect to earn less than half of the median annual salary of $114,316 for the city. This initial compensation level does present a significant gap but reflects the realities of entering the actuarial profession. While the early career trajectory can see pay rise to around $88,489 after gaining some experience, the pathway to the median salary is plausible within the first three to five years of employment. Given the lower cost of living index at 88.9 compared to the national average, Bixby could be an attractive market for recent graduates looking to establish their careers in this field. However, graduates should recognize that achieving a competitive salary will largely depend on their commitment to exam progression.
About the Bixby Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bixby
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 Bixby
Entry-level actuarys in Bixby, OK typically start between $74,132 and $88,489 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $103,057 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,316 — 14.79% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oklahoma of $40,000 represents just 53.96% of the starting actuary pay ($74,132/year) in Bixby. 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 Bixby
- 1Research the Bixby market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,132 to $88,489, 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 Bixby, 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 Bixby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bixby'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 Bixby is $103,057 ( 139.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,132, experienced hygienists can earn up to $177,189.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,299
2025 BLS Actual
$71,833
2026 Current Est.
$74,132
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Bixby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,299 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,607 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,917 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,093 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,833 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,132 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,504 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Bixby, OK grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,299 in 2019 to $71,833 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,504. New graduates entering the Bixby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bixby 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 Bixby
New graduates entering the actuarial field in Bixby can find opportunities primarily through large life and health insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often recruit directly from university campuses. These employers typically offer structured support for exam preparation as well. Health insurers are also on the lookout for entry-level talent, as their demand for actuaries continues to grow. Consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer offer even higher starting salaries but usually seek candidates who have attained Associate-level credentials (ASA/ACAS). In Oklahoma, possessing a relevant Bachelor's degree is crucial, along with passing early actuarial exams and acquiring VEE credits. The exam progression is particularly important; each passed exam could increase base pay by $3,000 to $8,000, suggesting that early career actuaries in Bixby should prioritize both gaining examination successes and developing skills in data analytics to enhance their marketability. This strategic focus can substantially influence salary growth during the first few years on the job.
More salary data for Bixby, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Bixby in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Bixby?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Bixby?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Bixby?
How do I become a actuary in Oklahoma?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 Bixby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bixby 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