Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Greenville, SC: $73,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Greenville, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,633 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Greenville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,473 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,624) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A new graduate entering the actuarial field in Greenville, South Carolina, can expect an entry level actuary salary starting at around $73,633 in 2026. While this initial income is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $123,624, it sets the stage for potential growth as one gains experience and credentials. Over the first few years, as they likely progress through their exams and develop their expertise, it's realistic to target a salary in the vicinity of $91,150 by the third year. Given the city's relatively low cost of living index of 91.5, Greenville offers a supportive environment for early-career actuaries, making the market particularly favorable for ambitious new graduates who are focused on building a long-term career in this sector.
About the Greenville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Greenville
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 Greenville
Entry-level actuarys in Greenville, SC typically start between $73,633 and $91,150 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,985 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,624 — 7.85% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 61.11% of the starting actuary pay ($73,633/year) in Greenville. 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 Greenville
- 1Research the Greenville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,633 to $91,150, 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Greenville'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 Greenville is $117,985 ( 160.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,633, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,618.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,900
2025 BLS Actual
$71,350
2026 Current Est.
$73,633
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,962 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,447 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,453 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,989 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Greenville, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,900 in 2019 to $71,350 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,989. New graduates entering the Greenville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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 Greenville
Employers in Greenville actively seek out entry-level actuaries from local universities and recruiting events, with notable insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual consistently hiring new grads. Additionally, consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW provide pathways for fresh graduates with campuses that intertwine study programs with professional development opportunities. Holding a bachelor's degree in math, statistics, actuarial science, or finance is essential, as is passing the initial actuarial exams administered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). New entrants should aim to complete VEE credits and work towards earning their Associate (ASA or ACAS) designation, which typically takes 4-5 years. This certification can significantly enhance starting pay, given that each passed exam usually translates into an additional $3,000 to $8,000 in salary. As actuaries gain experience, realistic growth expectations for salary can reach beyond the median in the years following initial employment, particularly as predictive analytics skills become more sought after in today’s data-driven job market.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 Greenville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Greenville 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