Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $85,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Philadelphia, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,398 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Philadelphia's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,271 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,859) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Philadelphia in 2026, the entry-level actuary salary begins at around $85,398, which may seem modest when compared to the median annual salary of $131,859 for more experienced professionals in the city. This starting figure reflects a significant gap that aspiring actuaries should be prepared for as they launch their careers. However, over the first few years, salaries can increase substantially, with many entry-level positions providing opportunities for growth to approximately $103,510 at the 25th percentile. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.20% in the actuarial job market, Philadelphia remains an attractive option for new grads seeking to establish themselves in a field that emphasizes both competence and credentials.
Career Earnings Timeline in Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia
Entry-level actuarys in Philadelphia, PA typically start between $85,398 and $103,510 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $139,950 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,859 — 1.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Pennsylvania of $70,000 represents just 81.97% of the starting actuary pay ($85,398/year) in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia
- 1Research the Philadelphia market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $85,398 to $103,510, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Philadelphia's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Philadelphia is $139,950 ( 163.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,398, experienced hygienists can earn up to $225,348.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,660
2025 BLS Actual
$82,750
2026 Current Est.
$85,398
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,131 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Philadelphia, PA grew 17.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,660 in 2019 to $82,750 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $88,131. New graduates entering the Philadelphia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, several key employers actively seek out entry-level actuaries, including large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurance firms and consulting agencies such as Milliman and Mercer. These organizations frequently recruit from local universities, offering structured exam preparation as part of their hiring practices. For those pursuing a career in this sector, obtaining a bachelor's degree in math, statistics, or actuarial science is essential, and passing the initial SOA or CAS exams can significantly boost starting pay in Pennsylvania. Each completed exam often translates into an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary, making exam progression a critical component of early-career strategy. Entry-level actuaries can expect their earning potential to grow steadily—especially for those who attain their ASA or ACAS credentials within 4 to 5 years, followed by their FSA or FCAS at a later stage. With the increasing demand for skills in predictive analytics and data science, new graduates should align their educational background and exam progression with market needs to maximize their career success.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 Philadelphia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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