Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Mount Pleasant, SC: $75,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Mount Pleasant, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,591 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mount Pleasant's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,613 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($124,557) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, can expect to see an entry-level actuary salary starting around $75,591. This amount is a considerable gap from the city median annual salary of $124,557, which suggests that early-career professionals will need to focus on skill development for upward mobility. Over the first three to five years, salary growth is promising, with progression from $75,591 at the lower end to approximately $90,260 as one gains experience and potentially additional credentials. The job market in Mount Pleasant is notably welcoming to new graduates, reflecting the city's supportive economic environment and growth potential in the actuarial field.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mount Pleasant
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 Mount Pleasant
Entry-level actuarys in Mount Pleasant, SC typically start between $75,591 and $90,260 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,472 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $124,557 — 7.16% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 59.53% of the starting actuary pay ($75,591/year) in Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant
- 1Research the Mount Pleasant market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $75,591 to $90,260, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mount Pleasant'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 Mount Pleasant is $117,472 ( 155.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,591, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,063.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,466
2025 BLS Actual
$73,247
2026 Current Est.
$75,591
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,466 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,557 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,974 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,898 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,273 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,010 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Mount Pleasant, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,466 in 2019 to $73,247 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,010. New graduates entering the Mount Pleasant job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant
When considering employment opportunities, major life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife are known to recruit fresh graduates through structured internship programs, providing essential study time for actuarial exams. Health insurers are also on the lookout for entry-level actuaries to assist in their operations. New grads should prioritize earning relevant credentials, such as a Bachelor's degree in mathematics, actuarial science, or a related field, and aim to pass the necessary actuarial exams set by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Theater companies often pay a premium for actuaries with advanced qualifications, making the ASA-to-FSA progression crucial for achieving higher compensation. As newly hired actuaries advance within their first few years, passing exams not only provides substantial salary boosts of $3,000 to $8,000 per exam but also equips professionals with invaluable tools to thrive in a market that increasingly values data analytics skills. Thus, maintaining rapid credential advancement in the initial stages can substantially impact long-term financial growth in the profession.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mount Pleasant 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