Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lexington, SC: $70,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lexington, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,517 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lexington's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,068 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,949) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected entry-level actuary salary in Lexington, South Carolina, starting at approximately $70,517 in 2026, new graduates can set realistic expectations as they begin their careers. While this figure is notably lower than the median annual salary of $115,949 for the area, it offers a pathway for growth. For instance, as actuaries gain experience over the first few years, salaries can advance to $86,399 at the 25th percentile, steadily moving closer to the median. Given the current market dynamics, Lexington remains a viable option for recent graduates, particularly for those aiming to establish themselves in the actuarial field while navigating the essential exam requirements and early career expectations.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lexington
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 Lexington
Entry-level actuarys in Lexington, SC typically start between $70,517 and $86,399 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $106,867 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,949 — 13.57% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 63.81% of the starting actuary pay ($70,517/year) in Lexington. 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 Lexington
- 1Research the Lexington market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,517 to $86,399, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lexington'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 Lexington is $106,867 ( 151.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,517, experienced hygienists can earn up to $177,384.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,407
2025 BLS Actual
$68,330
2026 Current Est.
$70,517
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,407 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,015 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,408 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,556 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,773 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lexington, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,407 in 2019 to $68,330 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,773. New graduates entering the Lexington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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 Lexington
Several key employers in Lexington actively seek entry-level actuaries, including prominent life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit directly from universities. These companies typically provide structured support for exam preparation, including paid study time. Health insurance providers and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer also offer roles for new graduates, particularly those who have earned the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) designation. Credentials significantly influence starting salaries in South Carolina; each passed actuarial exam can lead to salary increases of $3,000 to $8,000, which means that continuous education should be a priority. Additionally, with an industry growth rate of 3.20%, new actuaries can expect to see gradual salary increases in their early years, especially if they cultivate skills in predictive analytics or data science, which are increasingly valuable in various markets.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Lexington in 2026?
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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 Lexington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lexington 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