Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Brookings, SD: $64,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Brookings, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,393 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brookings's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,389 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,536) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Brookings, South Dakota, the starting actuary salary is projected to be around $64,393 in 2026. While this is considerably lower than the median annual salary of $97,536 for actuaries in the region, there exists a clear growth trajectory during the early years of one's career. Entry-level graduates can anticipate moving towards the P25 salary of $76,058 as they gain experience and skills over the first few years. With a growth rate of 3.20% annually, Brookings presents a relatively promising market for fresh graduates looking to establish themselves in the actuarial profession. This city is currently advantageous for those starting their careers, especially for those willing to invest in further credentials and exams.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brookings
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 Brookings
Entry-level actuarys in Brookings, SD typically start between $64,393 and $76,058 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $86,612 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,536 — 27.3% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Dakota of $40,000 represents just 62.12% of the starting actuary pay ($64,393/year) in Brookings. 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 Brookings
- 1Research the Brookings market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $64,393 to $76,058, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brookings, 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 Brookings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brookings'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 Brookings is $86,612 ( 134.51%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,393, experienced hygienists can earn up to $151,005.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,508
2025 BLS Actual
$62,396
2026 Current Est.
$64,393
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,508 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,437 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,238 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,988 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,863 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,842 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,453 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Brookings, SD grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,508 in 2019 to $62,396 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,453. New graduates entering the Brookings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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 Brookings
In Brookings, health insurers and large life insurance companies, such as Prudential and MetLife, often target new graduates for entry-level actuary roles. These firms typically recruit through campus networks, offering structured study time for actuarial exams. To elevate starting pay, aspiring actuaries should focus on obtaining a bachelor's degree in mathematics or actuarial science and passing the necessary exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Each exam passed can increase an actuary’s salary by $3,000 to $8,000, making exam progression a vital strategy for increasing compensation. Additionally, holding credentials like the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) can lead to enhanced job prospects and higher salaries, particularly with consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer, which pay a premium for candidates who achieve Fellowship status (FSA). Realistically, entry-level actuaries in Brookings might see substantial salary growth in their first three years, especially if they focus on passing exams and acquiring skills in data science, which are increasingly in demand.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
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 Brookings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings 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