Entry-Level Actuary Salary in York, PA: $79,953 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the York, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,953 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out York's local price level (BEA RPP 97.4 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,087 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($124,688) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in York, Pennsylvania, can expect starting salaries around $79,953. This figure represents the lower decile for entry-level positions, indicating a moderate entry point compared to the city’s median annual salary of $124,688. As new actuaries gain experience and begin to pass exams, they can realistically expect their salaries to appreciate through the projected 25th percentile ($95,850) and approach the median over their first few years in the profession. Given the local job market and the anticipated growth rate of 3.20%, York presents a solid opportunity for new grads looking to launch their careers in the actuarial field, even though starting figures are slightly below the national median of $134,160 for 2026.
About the York Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in York
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 York
Entry-level actuarys in York, PA typically start between $79,953 and $95,850 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $113,314 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $124,688 — 7.06% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Pennsylvania of $70,000 represents just 87.55% of the starting actuary pay ($79,953/year) in York. 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 York
- 1Research the York market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,953 to $95,850, 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 York, 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 York for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5York'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 York is $113,314 ( 141.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,953, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,267.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,955
2025 BLS Actual
$77,474
2026 Current Est.
$79,953
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,955 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,109 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,328 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,527 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,953 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,512 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in York, PA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,955 in 2019 to $77,474 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,512. New graduates entering the York job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the York 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 York
Actuaries in York have promising prospects if they target employers that actively hire early-career talent. Large insurance firms like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often recruit directly from universities and provide structured support for exam preparation, which is crucial for career advancement. Additionally, health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW also look for motivated candidates, frequently offering higher starting salaries to those with ASA credentials. New graduates are encouraged to pursue continued education and skill development, such as obtaining VEE credits and passing actuarial exams, as each exam passed can yield an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. In the first few years, while new actuaries can anticipate salary growth through exam progress and experience, it is important to understand the role of advanced skills in predictive analytics and data science, which are becoming increasingly valuable in both consulting and insurance sectors. By focusing on credentials and practical experience, new actuaries in York can build a strong foundation for a successful career in an evolving job market.
More salary data for York, 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 York. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for York 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