Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Leawood, KS: $70,374 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Leawood, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,374 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leawood's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,419 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($107,451) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As new graduates step into the actuarial field in Leawood, Kansas, the starting pay can initially seem modest. In 2026, entry-level actuaries can expect a starting salary around $70,374, which is significantly below the median annual salary of $107,451 for the area. However, there's a clear potential for upward mobility, with anticipated earnings climbing to $81,300 as a new actuary gains experience and develops their skills in the profession. Given these figures, Leawood presents a valuable market for new actuaries, especially considering the local cost of living index, which is below the national average. This creates a unique opportunity for entry-level actuaries to build their careers in a city that offers a competitive starting salary while still allowing for a reasonable quality of life.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leawood
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 Leawood
Entry-level actuarys in Leawood, KS typically start between $70,374 and $81,300 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $96,174 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $107,451 — 19.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Kansas of $40,000 represents just 56.84% of the starting actuary pay ($70,374/year) in Leawood. 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 Leawood
- 1Research the Leawood market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $70,374 to $81,300, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Leawood, 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 Leawood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leawood's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Leawood is $96,174 ( 136.66%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,374, experienced hygienists can earn up to $166,548.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,293
2025 BLS Actual
$68,192
2026 Current Est.
$70,374
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,308 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,904 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,282 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,543 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,374 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,626 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Leawood, KS grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,293 in 2019 to $68,192 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,626. New graduates entering the Leawood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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 Leawood
In Leawood, KS, various employers actively seek to recruit entry-level actuaries, including major life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, as well as consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer. These organizations often have established campus recruitment pipelines and provide structured support for exam preparation, recognizing the value of ongoing education in enhancing starting salaries. Candidates with degrees in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, along with relevant VEE credits, will position themselves favorably in the job market. Furthermore, progressing through actuarial exams is pivotal; each exam passed can result in a bump of $3,000 to $8,000 in base pay. For entry-level positions, understanding the distinctions between opportunities in life, health, and property casualty sectors is essential, as firms with ASA or FSA qualifications tend to offer a higher pay trajectory, particularly in consulting roles. As such, new grads in this market are encouraged to prioritize exam success for optimal salary growth in their first few years, making the entry-level actuary salary in Leawood a stepping stone toward more lucrative positions down the line.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
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 Leawood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leawood 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