Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Williston, ND: $67,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Williston, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,501 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williston's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,371 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,269) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For aspiring actuaries in Williston, North Dakota, the starting salary in 2026 is projected to be around $67,501, significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $105,269. New graduates should approach their first job with realistic expectations, as the journey from entry-level pay to more competitive salaries can take time. Over the initial years of a career, actuaries often progress through various pay grades; transitioning from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile is common, with potential earnings reaching $80,922 in just a few years. Given the local economy and employment opportunities for recent graduates, Williston presents a reasonable market for those entering the actuarial field, particularly as the demand for analytical skills continues to grow.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williston
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 Williston
Entry-level actuarys in Williston, ND typically start between $67,501 and $80,922 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $95,666 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,269 — 21.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in North Dakota of $42,000 represents just 62.22% of the starting actuary pay ($67,501/year) in Williston. 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 Williston
- 1Research the Williston market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $67,501 to $80,922, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williston, 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 Williston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williston'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 Williston is $95,666 ( 141.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,501, experienced hygienists can earn up to $163,167.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,995
2025 BLS Actual
$65,408
2026 Current Est.
$67,501
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,995 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,969 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,663 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,308 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,661 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Williston, ND grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,995 in 2019 to $65,408 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,661. New graduates entering the Williston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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 Williston
A number of prominent employers actively seek talent in the Williston area, including major life insurance companies like Prudential and Northwestern Mutual, which often recruit directly from campuses. These firms typically provide structured time for exam preparation and support for new actuaries. Additionally, health insurance providers and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer offer competitive salaries for entry-level positions, particularly to those with the ASA designation. However, credentials play a critical role in determining pay; graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics or actuarial science and progress on SOA or CAS exams can see their starting pay rise significantly. Each exam passed tends to add an estimated $3,000 to $8,000 to an actuary's base salary. Thus, engaging in continued education and achieving higher-level credentials like FSA or FCAS can lead to substantial salary growth, with projected growth expectations placing early career actuaries in a strong position to advance their earnings as they gain experience.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
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 Williston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williston 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