Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $74,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Jacksonville, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,726 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,835 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,193) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salary projections for entry-level actuaries in Jacksonville, North Carolina, illustrate both the potential and challenges that come with starting a career in this field. For new graduates in 2026, the expected initial pay stands at $74,726, which is significantly lower than the city median annual salary of $126,193, leaving a notable gap to bridge. However, this entry-level figure sets the stage for growth, as actuaries can realistically progress toward $92,718 within a few years, ultimately aiming for median earnings as they gain experience and credentials. Jacksonville presents a reasonable market for new actuaries, particularly as the local economy supports a steady demand for actuarial services, making it a favorable environment for fresh graduates.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville
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 Jacksonville
Entry-level actuarys in Jacksonville, NC typically start between $74,726 and $92,718 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $120,873 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,193 — 5.94% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Carolina of $45,000 represents just 60.22% of the starting actuary pay ($74,726/year) in Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville
- 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,726 to $92,718, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jacksonville'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 Jacksonville is $120,873 ( 161.75%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,726, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,599.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,774
2025 BLS Actual
$72,409
2026 Current Est.
$74,726
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,774 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,852 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,469 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,901 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,117 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, NC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,774 in 2019 to $72,409 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,117. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, various employers are actively seeking entry-level actuaries, including large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit through campus programs that provide structured study time for actuarial exams. Additionally, health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer look to hire entry-level talent with strong analytical skills, especially those who are in the process of obtaining their Associate (ASA) or Fellow (FSA) credentials. To enhance starting pay in this competitive landscape, it’s crucial for new graduates to focus on passing relevant actuarial exams, as each exam typically increases annual compensation by $3,000 to $8,000. Building credentials through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), while also acquiring VEE credits in economics, accounting, and advanced math, is vital. As new actuaries advance through their first 1-3 years, realistic salary growth expectations can vary widely based on exam progression and skills in areas like predictive analytics or data science, ultimately affecting long-term earnings potential in this market.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
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 Jacksonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jacksonville 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