Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Dover, NH: $76,861 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Dover, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,861 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dover's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,632 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,953) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For recent graduates entering the actuarial profession in Dover, New Hampshire, the 2026 projected entry-level actuary salary stands at $76,861. While this figure may feel modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $115,953, it represents a solid foundation for a burgeoning career. New grads can anticipate steady growth in their earnings trajectory, with salary possibilities rising up to $90,988 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching higher within their first few years. With an annual growth rate of 3.20% expected in the overall actuarial field, Dover currently offers a reasonably appealing market for those starting their actuarial careers, especially given its access to local employers seeking fresh talent.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dover
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 Dover
Entry-level actuarys in Dover, NH typically start between $76,861 and $90,988 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,867 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,953 — 13.57% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in New Hampshire of $65,000 represents just 84.57% of the starting actuary pay ($76,861/year) in Dover. 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 Dover
- 1Research the Dover market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,861 to $90,988, 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 NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Dover, 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 Dover for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dover'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 Dover is $102,867 ( 133.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,861, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,728.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,482
2025 BLS Actual
$74,478
2026 Current Est.
$76,861
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,482 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,591 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,965 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,023 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,739 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,861 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,321 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Dover, NH grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,482 in 2019 to $74,478 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,321. New graduates entering the Dover job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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 Dover
Dover's job market includes a variety of employers that actively recruit entry-level actuarial talent. Large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife frequently engage with campus pipelines, providing new actuaries with structured support for their exam preparations. Health insurance firms and consulting agencies, such as Milliman and Mercer, also seek entry-level actuaries, often offering higher starting salaries for those with certain credentials. Earning a Bachelor's degree in areas like math, statistics, or actuarial science is essential, and passing actuarial exams significantly boosts initial pay. Each exam passed can add between $3,000 to $8,000 to a base salary, driving upward mobility in the early years. Given the competitive nature of the market and the demand for advanced skills in predictive analytics and data science, new grads should strategically focus on gaining credentials such as the ASA within their first three years to enhance their earning potential and career progression in New Hampshire.
More salary data for Dover, NH:
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 Dover. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dover 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