Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Austin, TX: $76,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Austin, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,420 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Austin's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,927 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,472) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level actuary salary in Austin is projected to start at about $76,420, marking a realistic expectation for new graduates entering the field. This starting pay is significantly below the city's median annual salary of $126,472, illustrating a notable gap that reflects the typical earnings of early-career professionals. However, this position allows for a structured growth trajectory, with potential earnings rising to approximately $89,196 within a few years as new actuaries accumulate experience and credentials. Given Austin's attractive market and its diverse range of employers in the actuarial sector, new graduates should find ample opportunities to establish their careers in this growing city.
Career Earnings Timeline in Austin
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 Austin
Entry-level actuarys in Austin, TX typically start between $76,420 and $89,196 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,807 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,472 — 5.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Texas of $52,000 represents just 68.05% of the starting actuary pay ($76,420/year) in Austin. 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 Austin
- 1Research the Austin market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,420 to $89,196, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Austin, 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 Austin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Austin's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Austin is $121,807 ( 159.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,420, experienced hygienists can earn up to $198,227.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,350
2025 BLS Actual
$74,050
2026 Current Est.
$76,420
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,865 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Austin, TX grew 22.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,350 in 2019 to $74,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,865. New graduates entering the Austin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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 Austin
Austin is home to several prominent employers seeking to hire entry-level actuaries, including large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, as well as consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer. These organizations often have structured programs that support new graduates in their exam preparations, recognizing that progress through the actuarial exams is the key driver of salary increases. To maximize earning potential, it's advisable for aspiring actuaries in Austin to pursue relevant bachelor's degrees—such as in mathematics or actuarial science—and to focus on passing foundational exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Each passed exam can result in a salary increase of $3,000 to $8,000; thus, a strategic approach to obtaining the ASA designation within the first few years will be crucial. As the market continues to evolve, those equipped with skills in predictive analytics or data science will find themselves particularly advantageous, as these competencies are increasingly sought by both insurers and consulting firms to support data-driven decision-making.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 Austin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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