Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Houston, TX: $60,496 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Houston, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,496 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Houston's local price level (BEA RPP 98.6 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,337 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,283) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the starting salary for entry-level actuaries in Houston, Texas, is projected to be approximately $60,496. This figure highlights a significant gap when compared to the overall city median salary of $84,283. New graduates entering the field can anticipate a gradual increase over the first few years, moving from the entry-level range to the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median mark as they gain experience. With a 3.20% annual growth rate expected, Houston represents a viable market for recent graduates, especially for those willing to invest in their professional development through exams and credentials.
Career Earnings Timeline in Houston
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 Houston
Entry-level actuarys in Houston, TX typically start between $60,496 and $60,496 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $128,535 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,283 — 37.18% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Texas of $52,000 represents just 85.96% of the starting actuary pay ($60,496/year) in Houston. 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 Houston
- 1Research the Houston market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $60,496 to $60,496, 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 Houston, 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 Houston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Houston'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 Houston is $128,535 ( 212.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,496, experienced hygienists can earn up to $189,031.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,150
2025 BLS Actual
$58,620
2026 Current Est.
$60,496
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,496 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,432 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Houston, TX grew 6.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,150 in 2019 to $58,620 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,432. New graduates entering the Houston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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 Houston
Major employers in Houston that are actively recruiting new graduates include large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often offer structured programs for actuarial students. Health insurers also hire entry-level talent, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to seek early-career professionals who have obtained an ASA credential. Candidates with strong academic backgrounds in math, statistics, or actuarial science are in demand, and passing actuarial exams significantly boosts starting pay. New grads should ideally aim to pass their first exam promptly, as each passed exam can increase base salaries by $3,000 to $8,000. To enhance their marketability and income potential, aspiring actuaries in Houston should consider focusing on relevant skills in predictive analytics and data science, which are increasingly sought after in the industry.
More salary data for Houston, 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 Houston. 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