Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Brownsville, TX: $79,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Brownsville, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,763 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brownsville's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,086 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,765) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brownsville, Texas, new graduates entering the actuarial field can expect to earn in the vicinity of $79,763 at entry-level positions in 2026. This starting figure reflects a significant gap from the city's median annual salary for actuaries, which is projected at $128,765, leaving room for upward mobility as one gains experience and professional certifications. Over the first three to five years, early-career actuaries can anticipate salary growth as they progress through the salary percentiles, moving from the P10 level to as much as $97,469 at the P25 mark. With a growth rate of 3.20%, Brownsville presents a decent market for young professionals, particularly as the demand for skilled actuaries continues to rise, bolstered by an accessible cost of living index that is lower than the national average.
About the Brownsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brownsville
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 Brownsville
Entry-level actuarys in Brownsville, TX typically start between $79,763 and $97,469 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $119,823 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,765 — 4.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Texas of $52,000 represents just 65.19% of the starting actuary pay ($79,763/year) in Brownsville. 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 Brownsville
- 1Research the Brownsville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,763 to $97,469, 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 Brownsville, 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 Brownsville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brownsville'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 Brownsville is $119,823 ( 150.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,763, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,586.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,803
2025 BLS Actual
$77,290
2026 Current Est.
$79,763
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,803 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,954 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,229 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,152 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,316 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Brownsville, TX grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,803 in 2019 to $77,290 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,316. New graduates entering the Brownsville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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 Brownsville
Brownsville’s actuarial job market is welcoming to new grads, with opportunities often arising within large life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, which actively recruit campus talent and typically support actuarial students with structured exam preparation time. Health insurance providers in the area also hire entry-level actuaries, encouraging them to pursue professional designations early in their careers. To enhance starting pay in Texas, candidates should focus on acquiring a bachelor's degree in fields like mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science and strive to pass initial actuarial exams from either the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). New actuaries should keep in mind that achieving an Associate (ASA) designation, which usually takes four to five years along with five to seven exams, significantly influences salary progression. Realistically, as candidates pass exams and gain their ASA, they can expect salary increases ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 for each exam completed. Having technical skills in predictive analytics or data science will also boost career prospects in this evolving field.
More salary data for Brownsville, 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 Brownsville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brownsville 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