Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Conway, SC: $74,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Conway, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,528 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Conway's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,451 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($113,263) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the actuarial profession in Conway, South Carolina, realistic salary expectations for 2026 point to a starting pay around $74,528, considerably below the city’s median annual salary of $113,263. This reflects a significant gap that early-career actuaries should be mindful of when considering their financial prospects. However, the entry-level trajectory shows promise, as professionals can realistically aspire to $88,143 within a few years and reach the median as experience accumulates. With an annual growth rate projection of 3.20%, Conway presents a decent opportunity for new grads looking to make their mark in the actuarial field, although it's wise to be aware of potential limitations that come with the city’s overall salary landscape.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Conway
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 Conway
Entry-level actuarys in Conway, SC typically start between $74,528 and $88,143 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,280 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $113,263 — 15.58% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 60.38% of the starting actuary pay ($74,528/year) in Conway. 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 Conway
- 1Research the Conway market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,528 to $88,143, 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 SC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Conway, 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 Conway for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Conway'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 Conway is $100,280 ( 134.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,528, experienced hygienists can earn up to $174,808.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,616
2025 BLS Actual
$72,217
2026 Current Est.
$74,528
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Conway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,958 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,285 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,217 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,913 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Conway, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,616 in 2019 to $72,217 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,913. New graduates entering the Conway job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Conway 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 Conway
In Conway, various employers actively seek entry-level actuaries, including major life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit from local universities and provide structured exam study programs. Health insurance sectors also open their doors to new graduates, providing a solid foundation for aspiring actuaries. To enhance earning potential, candidates should focus on gaining relevant credentials, starting with a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field and passing the foundational actuarial exams. Entry-level positions often offer an excellent stepping stone towards acquiring the Associate (ASA / ACAS) designation, which requires several years and successful examination completion. Exam progression becomes a critical factor for increasing compensation; each passed exam generally results in an additional $3,000 to $8,000 in salary. Those eyeing a career in consulting should note that firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW offer premiums for those with advanced credentials. Given that Conway’s actuarial market may present lower initial pay than the national median of $134,160, new grads should be proactive in pursuing professional development to boost their entry-level actuary salary in SC as they advance within the industry.
More salary data for Conway, SC:
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 Conway. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Conway 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