Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Durant, OK: $76,210 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Durant, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,210 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Durant's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,726 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($111,659) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates considering a career in actuarial science, the starting actuary salary in Durant, OK, offers a solid foundation. In 2026, entry-level positions are projected to begin at approximately $76,210, presenting a realistic expectation for those just entering the job market. While this figure is considerably lower than the $111,659 median annual salary for all actuaries in Durant, it reflects typical starting pay. Early-career professionals can anticipate a growth trajectory as they advance, moving from this initial salary through levels like $88,885 (P25) and ultimately toward the median in their first few years. Given these figures, Durant may be viewed as a favorable market for new actuarial graduates as they embark on their professional journeys.
About the Durant Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Durant
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 Durant
Entry-level actuarys in Durant, OK typically start between $76,210 and $88,885 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $96,862 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $111,659 — 16.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oklahoma of $40,000 represents just 52.49% of the starting actuary pay ($76,210/year) in Durant. 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 Durant
- 1Research the Durant market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,210 to $88,885, 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 Durant, 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 Durant for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Durant'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 Durant is $96,862 ( 127.10%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,210, experienced hygienists can earn up to $173,072.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,961
2025 BLS Actual
$73,847
2026 Current Est.
$76,210
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Durant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,961 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,061 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,446 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,849 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,762 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,847 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,210 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,649 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Durant, OK grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,961 in 2019 to $73,847 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,649. New graduates entering the Durant job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durant 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 Durant
In terms of employment opportunities, major companies in the region actively recruit entry-level actuaries. Large life insurance firms such as Prudential and MetLife often seek out new talent through campus recruiting initiatives, providing structured pathways including dedicated exam study time. Health insurance providers and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and Aon target new grads as well, typically offering higher compensation for positions that require an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) or higher credentials. Graduates who aim to boost their starting pay should focus on pursuing relevant degrees in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, as well as passing key actuarial exams through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Given the industry's emphasis on exam progression—where each passed exam can translate into $3,000 to $8,000 increases in base salary—new actuaries in Durant can expect realistic salary growth as they advance through the credentialing process in their first few years.
More salary data for Durant, 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 Durant. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Durant 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