Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Williamsport, PA: $80,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Williamsport, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,337 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williamsport's local price level (BEA RPP 97.4 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,482 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,444) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, can expect a starting salary of around $80,337 in 2026. This figure significantly lags behind the city’s median annual salary of $129,444, representing a gap that highlights the early-career phase many actuaries experience. However, with a clear growth trajectory in place, new grads can anticipate their earning potential to rise from the 10th percentile base, through the 25th percentile at $97,537, and ultimately towards the median during their first three to five years of employment. Given the current job market dynamics, Williamsport remains a viable option for aspiring actuaries, particularly as the demand for actuarial talent steadily increases alongside overall industry growth.
About the Williamsport Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williamsport
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 Williamsport
Entry-level actuarys in Williamsport, PA typically start between $80,337 and $97,537 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $120,301 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,444 — 3.52% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Pennsylvania of $70,000 represents just 87.13% of the starting actuary pay ($80,337/year) in Williamsport. 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 Williamsport
- 1Research the Williamsport market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $80,337 to $97,537, 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 Williamsport, 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 Williamsport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williamsport'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 Williamsport is $120,301 ( 149.75%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,337, experienced hygienists can earn up to $200,638.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,262
2025 BLS Actual
$77,846
2026 Current Est.
$80,337
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,262 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,422 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,677 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,099 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,866 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,846 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,908 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Williamsport, PA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,262 in 2019 to $77,846 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,908. New graduates entering the Williamsport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsport 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 Williamsport
Employment opportunities for entry-level actuaries in Williamsport are often fulfilled by large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which actively recruit recent graduates through established campus programs. Health insurance firms are also significant employers in the area, seeking to onboard new actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer tend to offer competitive salaries to those with industry credentials such as Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA). To enhance starting pay in Pennsylvania, candidates should pursue relevant bachelor’s degrees in fields like mathematics or actuarial science and strive to pass necessary actuarial exams. Completing VEE credits and progressing towards ASA or Fellow (FSA) designations are essential for long-term salary growth, with each passed exam translating to a substantial increase in base pay. Realistically, entry-level actuaries can anticipate gradual salary increments through their initial years, as exam progress becomes the primary driver of compensation in this profession.
More salary data for Williamsport, 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 Williamsport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williamsport 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