Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Stephenville, TX: $81,859 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Stephenville, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,859 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Stephenville's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,270 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,393) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Stephenville, Texas, can anticipate a starting salary around $81,859. This figure reflects the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level actuaries in the area, where the overall median salary rests at $120,393, indicating a notable gap for those just beginning their careers. Over the first few years, it is realistic for new actuaries to expect their pay to grow from the entry point up to approximately $95,611, as they gain experience and potentially pass initial actuarial exams. The current salary trajectory suggests that Stephenville presents a relatively stable environment for early-career professionals, especially considering the city's lower cost of living index at 96, which allows new graduates to stretch their earnings further than in more expensive metropolitan areas.
About the Stephenville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Stephenville
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 Stephenville
Entry-level actuarys in Stephenville, TX typically start between $81,859 and $95,611 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $99,970 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,393 — 10.26% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Texas of $52,000 represents just 63.52% of the starting actuary pay ($81,859/year) in Stephenville. 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 Stephenville
- 1Research the Stephenville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $81,859 to $95,611, 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 Stephenville, 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 Stephenville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Stephenville'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 Stephenville is $99,970 ( 122.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,859, experienced hygienists can earn up to $181,829.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,480
2025 BLS Actual
$79,321
2026 Current Est.
$81,859
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Stephenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,661 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,865 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,446 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,101 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,349 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,321 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,859 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,479 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Stephenville, TX grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,480 in 2019 to $79,321 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,479. New graduates entering the Stephenville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stephenville 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 Stephenville
While navigating the job market in Stephenville, prospective actuaries should consider the key employers in the region, such as large life insurers and health insurers, which frequently recruit entry-level talent. Companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual have established pipelines for college students, offering structured exam study time as part of their onboarding. To further enhance their starting pay, new graduates should focus on obtaining relevant credentials including a Bachelor's degree in fields like math or actuarial science, and passing the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams. Each exam completed generally adds between $3,000 and $8,000 to a new actuary's base salary, emphasizing the importance of exam progression in determining earnings. Additionally, consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer typically offer higher starting salaries for candidates who achieve the ASA designation sooner. Those entering the field must also consider developing skills in predictive analytics and data science, which are increasingly demanded by employers and can significantly impact early-career salary growth in Texas.
More salary data for Stephenville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Stephenville in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Stephenville?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Stephenville?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Stephenville?
How do I become a actuary in Texas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Stephenville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Stephenville 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