Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Omaha, NE: $87,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Omaha, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,400 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Omaha's local price level (BEA RPP 91.9 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $95,092 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($110,558) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Omaha is a promising market for aspiring actuaries, particularly for new graduates looking to enter this dynamic field. In 2026, the entry-level actuary salary in Omaha is projected to start at around $87,400, which is quite competitive against the median annual salary of $110,558 in the city. This figure indicates a potential growth trajectory for new professionals, as early-career actuaries can expect salaries to rise through the 25th percentile at $98,370, demonstrating solid advancement during the initial years. Considering these salary figures, Omaha offers a favorable environment for early-career actuaries, as the market not only reflects a meaningful gap from the median but also a credible opportunity for salary growth within the first three to five years in the profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Omaha
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 Omaha
Entry-level actuarys in Omaha, NE typically start between $87,400 and $98,370 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $97,761 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $110,558 — 17.59% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Nebraska of $45,000 represents just 51.49% of the starting actuary pay ($87,400/year) in Omaha. 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 Omaha
- 1Research the Omaha market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $87,400 to $98,370, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Omaha, 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 Omaha for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Omaha'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 Omaha is $97,761 ( 111.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,400, experienced hygienists can earn up to $185,161.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,940
2025 BLS Actual
$84,690
2026 Current Est.
$87,400
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,197 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Omaha, NE grew 34.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,940 in 2019 to $84,690 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,197. New graduates entering the Omaha job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Omaha 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 Omaha
Omaha's job market features several key employers who actively recruit new grads, including major life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often provide structured training and exam study time for their recruits. Health insurance firms also seek entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher starting bases for candidates who achieve ASA credentials. To boost initial pay, candidates should focus on obtaining credentials such as a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and passing actuarial exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). With exam progression as a significant driver of compensation—each passed exam typically resulting in an increase of between $3,000 and $8,000 to base pay—new actuaries should develop a career strategy emphasizing continued education and specialized skills, particularly in areas like predictive analytics and data science, to ensure robust salary growth and job stability over their first three years in the industry.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
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 Omaha. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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