Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Irving, TX: $78,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Irving, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,293 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Irving's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,555 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,987) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Those entering the actuary profession in Irving, Texas, can anticipate a starting salary of around $78,293 in 2026. When compared to the city's median annual salary of $134,987, it's clear that initial compensation for new graduates is significantly lower, reflecting a common trend in many entry-level positions. However, there is potential for growth; early-career actuaries can realistically expect their earnings to rise to approximately $97,191 within their first few years. The market conditions in Irving are favorable for recent graduates, especially given the city's robust insurance and consulting industries that frequently seek out fresh talent to cultivate.
About the Irving Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Irving
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 Irving
Entry-level actuarys in Irving, TX typically start between $78,293 and $97,191 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $130,937 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,987 — 0.62% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Texas of $52,000 represents just 66.42% of the starting actuary pay ($78,293/year) in Irving. 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 Irving
- 1Research the Irving market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $78,293 to $97,191, 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 Irving, 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 Irving for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Irving'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 Irving is $130,937 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,293, experienced hygienists can earn up to $209,230.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,627
2025 BLS Actual
$75,865
2026 Current Est.
$78,293
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Irving (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,627 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,757 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,289 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,865 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,798 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Irving, TX grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,627 in 2019 to $75,865 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,798. New graduates entering the Irving job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irving 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 Irving
Employers in Irving, particularly large life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, actively recruit new graduates through structured programs that typically include exam study time and mentorship. Additionally, health insurance companies and well-known consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW also provide significant opportunities for entry-level actuaries. Earning relevant credentials, such as a Bachelor's degree in actuarial science or related fields, alongside passing initial actuarial exams, can lead to a noticeable increase in pay. In Texas, each passed exam offers a potential salary bump of $3,000 to $8,000, making early exam completion critical for maximizing entry level actuary salaries. Moreover, continuing education, such as attaining Associate or Fellow status through the SOA or CAS, can further enhance earning potential and career advancement, positioning individuals favorably in a competitive job market. Realistically, new actuaries in Irving can expect steady salary growth in their early years, as the demand for skilled professionals in predictive analytics and data science continues to rise.
More salary data for Irving, 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 Irving. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Irving 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