Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $79,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Myrtle Beach, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,725 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Myrtle Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,131 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,755) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A career as an actuary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, offers promising initial pay for new graduates. The starting actuary salary in Myrtle Beach is projected at around $79,725 in 2026, which sets a solid base for those just entering the profession, but notably falls below the city's median annual salary of $120,755. For new grads, this presents a gap that can be bridged through experience and ongoing professional development. Over the first three to five years, entry-level salaries can rise significantly, with realistic expectations of reaching the 25th percentile at $94,616 as they establish themselves in the field. Given the overall cost of living index in Myrtle Beach at 91.5, this starting salary is fairly competitive, making it an appealing market for emerging actuaries.
About the Myrtle Beach Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Myrtle Beach
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 Myrtle Beach
Entry-level actuarys in Myrtle Beach, SC typically start between $79,725 and $94,616 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,446 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,755 — 9.99% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 56.44% of the starting actuary pay ($79,725/year) in Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach
- 1Research the Myrtle Beach market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,725 to $94,616, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Myrtle Beach'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 Myrtle Beach is $107,446 ( 134.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,725, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,171.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,773
2025 BLS Actual
$77,253
2026 Current Est.
$79,725
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,773 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,923 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,557 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,116 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,276 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Myrtle Beach, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,773 in 2019 to $77,253 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,276. New graduates entering the Myrtle Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, several prominent employers routinely recruit new graduates into actuarial roles. Large life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often seek out candidates through university partnerships, providing structured pathways for exam preparation and career advancement. Health insurance companies and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW also hire entry-level actuaries, frequently offering higher starting salaries to those with Associate credentials. Enhancing qualifications is essential for elevating starting pay; candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or finance, along with successful completion of required actuarial exams, tend to secure better positions. As exam progression significantly impacts compensation, each passed exam may enhance salary by $3,000 to $8,000. Those considering a career trajectory in this field should focus on obtaining the ASA credential, which typically requires four to five years and several exams, with a long-term goal of becoming an FSA or FCAS to command higher salaries as they advance in their careers.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Myrtle Beach 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