Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Keene, NH: $72,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Keene, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,690 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Keene's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,745 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,893) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Keene, New Hampshire can expect starting salaries around $72,690, significantly below the city’s median for all actuaries, which sits at $114,893. This gap illustrates the typical progression new entrants face; while initial offers may be modest, the trajectory can improve quickly as they gain experience and achieve exam milestones. Entry-level professionals typically experience salary growth as they work through exams, moving from the P10 range to the P25 within just a few years, potentially reaching a level closer to the median as they gain expertise. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Keene remains a viable market for fresh graduates in pursuit of a career in actuarial science, particularly due to its smaller-sized firms that may offer personalized career development.
About the Keene Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Keene
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 Keene
Entry-level actuarys in Keene, NH typically start between $72,690 and $87,659 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $105,394 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,893 — 14.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in New Hampshire of $65,000 represents just 89.42% of the starting actuary pay ($72,690/year) in Keene. 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 Keene
- 1Research the Keene market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,690 to $87,659, 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 Keene, 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 Keene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Keene'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 Keene is $105,394 ( 144.99%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,690, experienced hygienists can earn up to $178,084.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,145
2025 BLS Actual
$70,436
2026 Current Est.
$72,690
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Keene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,194 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,711 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,331 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,576 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,242 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,016 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Keene, NH grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,145 in 2019 to $70,436 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,016. New graduates entering the Keene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Keene 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 Keene
Several employers in Keene actively hire entry-level actuaries, including large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, which often have structured recruitment processes and provide support for exam study time. Additionally, health insurance companies tend to recruit new grads for roles that initiate their careers. Consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW not only seek ASA-credentialed analysts but also offer higher base salaries to those who progress toward Fellowship soon after employment. In New Hampshire, a strong academic foundation in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science will help bolster starting pay, while passing actuarial exams can yield significant salary increases—typically adding between $3,000 and $8,000 for each exam completed. Hence, a strategic focus on timely exam completion and acquiring relevant skills in predictive analytics or data science can significantly enhance earning potential for new actuaries, with realistic expectations of salary progression over the first few years in the profession.
More salary data for Keene, 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 Keene. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Keene 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