Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Towson, MD: $83,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Towson, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,760 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Towson's local price level (BEA RPP 109.3 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,633 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,504) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
While pursuing a career in actuarial science, new graduates can expect a starting actuary salary in Towson, MD, around $83,760 in 2026. This initial pay is lower than the city's median annual salary of $130,504, but it sets the stage for growth as actuaries progress through their early careers. With a consistent growth trajectory of 3.20%, entry-level professionals can anticipate moving from this starting point to the 25th percentile salary of $100,746 within a few years. The job market in Towson appears favorable for fresh graduates, with opportunities for career advancement leading to better compensation and robust professional development.
About the Towson Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Towson
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 Towson
Entry-level actuarys in Towson, MD typically start between $83,760 and $100,746 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,520 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,504 — 2.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Maryland of $60,000 represents just 71.63% of the starting actuary pay ($83,760/year) in Towson. 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 Towson
- 1Research the Towson market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $83,760 to $100,746, 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 Towson, 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 Towson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Towson'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 Towson is $118,520 ( 141.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,760, experienced hygienists can earn up to $202,280.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,001
2025 BLS Actual
$81,163
2026 Current Est.
$83,760
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Towson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,209 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,128 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,073 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,163 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,441 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Towson, MD grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,001 in 2019 to $81,163 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,441. New graduates entering the Towson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Towson 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 Towson
Several key employers in Towson actively seek new actuaries, particularly large life insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often have structured pathways for exam preparation. Health insurers also recruit entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher compensation, especially for those holding the Associate (ASA) designation. Graduates with degrees in math, statistics, actuarial science, or finance, combined with VEE credits, are well-positioned in this market. The time invested in passing exams— a significant factor influencing starting pay—could boost salaries by $3,000 to $8,000 for each passed exam, making it essential for new actuaries to pursue continued education and credentialing. In their first few years, entry-level actuaries in Towson can expect steady salary growth as they advance their skills and credentials, reflecting their contributions to the firms they join.
More salary data for Towson, 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 Towson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Towson 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