Entry-Level Actuary Salary in El Paso, TX: $80,707 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the El Paso, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,707 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out El Paso's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,070 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,666) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial profession in El Paso, Texas, the starting salary is projected to be a realistic benchmark at $80,707 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $136,666, indicating the expected gap that entry-level professionals will face as they begin their careers. However, the growth trajectory is promising; entry-level actuaries can aim for an annual salary increase to around $100,783 within a couple of years if they actively pursue further qualifications and certifications. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.20% and a job market that remains favorable, El Paso is becoming an increasingly viable option for new actuaries eager to jumpstart their careers in 2026.
About the El Paso Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in El Paso
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 El Paso
Entry-level actuarys in El Paso, TX typically start between $80,707 and $100,783 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $131,124 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,666 — 1.87% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Texas of $52,000 represents just 64.43% of the starting actuary pay ($80,707/year) in El Paso. 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 El Paso
- 1Research the El Paso market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $80,707 to $100,783, 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 El Paso, 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 El Paso for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5El Paso'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 El Paso is $131,124 ( 162.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,707, experienced hygienists can earn up to $211,831.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,558
2025 BLS Actual
$78,204
2026 Current Est.
$80,707
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,722 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,965 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,029 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,237 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,707 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,289 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in El Paso, TX grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,558 in 2019 to $78,204 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,289. New graduates entering the El Paso job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Paso 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 El Paso
Major employers in El Paso hiring new actuarial graduates include prominent life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which frequently recruit through campus pipelines and offer structured study time for exam preparation. Health insurers similarly onboard entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and Aon typically seek candidates with ASA credentials, offering higher starting salaries in exchange for rigorous qualifications. To maximize initial pay in TX, aspiring actuaries should focus on obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree in fields such as mathematics, statistics, or finance while passing the requisite actuarial exams from the SOA or CAS. Progression in this field is heavily influenced by exam achievements—each passed exam can elevate base pay by $3,000 to $8,000. Early-career professionals can expect to see realistic salary increases reflecting their efforts in obtaining credentials; those who earn fellow status (FSA or FCAS) will find themselves in a distinctly different earning bracket, especially if they possess skills in predictive analytics or data science, which are becoming increasingly essential in today's actuarial landscape.
More salary data for El Paso, 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 El Paso. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for El Paso 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