Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Dallas, TX: $78,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Dallas, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,865 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dallas's local price level (BEA RPP 103.1 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,501 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,776) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Dallas can expect starting salaries that begin around $78,865, providing a significant entry point into the profession. While this figure sits well below the city’s median annual salary of $131,776, it represents a solid foundation for recent graduates. Over the first three to five years, as young professionals gain experience and tackle the rigorous exam progression required in the actuarial field, their salaries typically rise significantly, with the potential to reach approximately $92,591 by the 25th percentile. This growth trajectory makes Dallas an attractive market for aspiring actuaries, especially given the city's favorable economic climate and demand for insurance and risk management expertise.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dallas
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 Dallas
Entry-level actuarys in Dallas, TX typically start between $78,865 and $92,591 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $119,888 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,776 — 1.78% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Texas of $52,000 represents just 65.94% of the starting actuary pay ($78,865/year) in Dallas. 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 Dallas
- 1Research the Dallas market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $78,865 to $92,591, 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 Dallas, 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 Dallas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dallas'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 Dallas is $119,888 ( 152.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,865, experienced hygienists can earn up to $198,753.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,610
2025 BLS Actual
$76,420
2026 Current Est.
$78,865
2019–2027 Growth
+6.2%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Dallas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,389 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Dallas, TX grew -0.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $76,610 in 2019 to $76,420 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,389. New graduates entering the Dallas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dallas 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 Dallas
Employers in Dallas actively seek entry-level actuaries, with many large life insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual targeting new graduates by offering structured career development initiatives. Additionally, health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer contribute to the hiring landscape, often requiring candidates to have passed specific actuarial exams for competitive pay packages. To capitalize on the entry-level actuary salary in Dallas, new grads should focus on obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, alongside working towards professional credentials like the ASA. Each exam passed can add an average of $3,000 to $8,000 to a base salary, making exam progress a central strategy for salary enhancement in the early years. With the growing emphasis on data science and predictive analytics in the field, building these technical skills is increasingly vital as graduates aim for higher compensation and career advancement.
More salary data for Dallas, 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 Dallas. 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