Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lawton, OK: $74,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lawton, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,461 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lawton's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,758 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($117,371) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the actuarial field in Lawton, Oklahoma, can expect an entry-level actuary salary around $74,461 as of 2026. This initial figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $117,371, highlighting a significant income gap for fresh graduates. However, with career progression, new actuaries have the potential to see their salaries increase significantly within the first few years, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $90,315 and eventually reaching the overall median. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Lawton presents a moderately promising market for new grads looking to establish their careers in actuarial science.
About the Lawton Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lawton
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 Lawton
Entry-level actuarys in Lawton, OK typically start between $74,461 and $90,315 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,465 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $117,371 — 12.51% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oklahoma of $40,000 represents just 53.72% of the starting actuary pay ($74,461/year) in Lawton. 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 Lawton
- 1Research the Lawton market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,461 to $90,315, 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 Lawton, 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 Lawton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lawton'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 Lawton is $107,465 ( 144.32%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,461, experienced hygienists can earn up to $181,926.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,562
2025 BLS Actual
$72,152
2026 Current Est.
$74,461
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lawton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,636 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,898 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,223 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,844 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lawton, OK grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,562 in 2019 to $72,152 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,844. New graduates entering the Lawton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawton 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 Lawton
In terms of employment opportunities, Lawton has several large life and health insurers, such as Prudential and MetLife, that typically recruit entry-level candidates through structured programs aimed at developing their skills while preparing for actuarial exams. Health insurance providers and consulting firms, like Milliman and Aon, also play a pivotal role in hiring new actuaries, often offering competitive salaries for graduates with passing grades on exams. Credentials are highly important for recent graduates, as a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields coupled with progress toward the ASA can significantly influence starting pay in Oklahoma. Each exam passed yields an addition of $3k-$8k to a candidate's base salary, and the timeline to achieve ASA and further FSA credentials can lead to notable salary advancements. For those seeking to enhance their marketability, supplementary skills in predictive analytics and data science are increasingly valuable in the current job landscape.
More salary data for Lawton, 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 Lawton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lawton 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