Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Salisbury, MD: $83,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Salisbury, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,998 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salisbury's local price level (BEA RPP 109.3 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,851 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,619) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, Maryland, new graduates entering the actuarial field can expect an entry-level actuary salary of approximately $83,998 in 2026. This starting pay is notably below the city's median annual salary of $142,619, illustrating a significant pay gap that early-career professionals may need to navigate. However, the growth potential is promising, as the salary trajectory for an actuary positions them between the $112,929 P25 and the median over the initial 3-5 years of their career. Salisbury, with a projected growth rate of 3.20%, shows signs of being a viable market for fresh graduates, allowing for upward mobility as they gain experience and credentialing.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salisbury
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 Salisbury
Entry-level actuarys in Salisbury, MD typically start between $83,998 and $112,929 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $137,062 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,619 — 6.31% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Maryland of $60,000 represents just 71.43% of the starting actuary pay ($83,998/year) in Salisbury. 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 Salisbury
- 1Research the Salisbury market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $83,998 to $112,929, 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 MD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Salisbury, 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 Salisbury for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salisbury'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 Salisbury is $137,062 ( 163.17%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,998, experienced hygienists can earn up to $221,060.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,190
2025 BLS Actual
$81,393
2026 Current Est.
$83,998
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,517 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,393 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,685 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Salisbury, MD grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,190 in 2019 to $81,393 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,685. New graduates entering the Salisbury job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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 Salisbury
Numerous employers in Salisbury actively seek new actuaries, particularly well-established life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual. These firms often have well-structured recruitment processes for graduates, incorporating exam study time into their roles. Health insurance companies regularly hire entry-level actuaries, while reputable consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW may offer higher base salaries to those with ASA credentials. Graduates pursuing actuarial careers should focus on obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree and begin passing the necessary actuarial exams, as exam progression heavily influences salary growth. Each completed exam can increase base pay by $3,000 to $8,000, making timely progression essential. Furthermore, skills in predictive analytics and data science are becoming increasingly valuable in this job market, making proactive professional development critical for new actuaries in Salisbury, MD.
More salary data for Salisbury, MD:
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 Salisbury. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salisbury 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