Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Shawnee, OK: $68,235 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Shawnee, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,235 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shawnee's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,755 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,908) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the actuarial field in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the starting compensation presents both challenges and opportunities. In 2026, the entry-level actuary salary is projected to be around $68,235, which is significantly below the city median of $115,908. This gap suggests that recent graduates should approach their job search with realistic expectations. The salary trajectory for new actuaries in Shawnee shows potential for steady growth, with an increase to $91,665 at the 25th percentile, reflecting a path toward the median salary as they gain experience. Given the growing demand for actuarial talents and Shawnee’s competitively priced cost of living index at 88.9, it stands as a reasonable market for fresh graduates looking to launch their careers.
About the Shawnee Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shawnee
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 Shawnee
Entry-level actuarys in Shawnee, OK typically start between $68,235 and $91,665 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $111,423 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,908 — 13.6% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oklahoma of $40,000 represents just 58.62% of the starting actuary pay ($68,235/year) in Shawnee. 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 Shawnee
- 1Research the Shawnee market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $68,235 to $91,665, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Shawnee, 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 Shawnee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shawnee'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 Shawnee is $111,423 ( 163.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,235, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,658.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,582
2025 BLS Actual
$66,119
2026 Current Est.
$68,235
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Shawnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,566 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,235 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,388 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,338 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,235 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,418 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Shawnee, OK grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,582 in 2019 to $66,119 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,418. New graduates entering the Shawnee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shawnee 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 Shawnee
Employers in Shawnee generally include major life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit new actuaries straight from campus, incorporating structured study time for actuarial exams into their training programs. Health insurers also hire entry-level professionals, alongside consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer that market to ASA-credentialed analysts, typically offering higher initial salaries. To enhance starting pay in Oklahoma, candidates should consider degrees in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, along with obtaining relevant credentials. Successful candidates usually progress through a series of exams administered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Realistically, within the first few years, each passed exam can boost annual pay significantly; often, professionals can anticipate an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 per exam completed. Therefore, strategic planning and exams should be priority pursuits for new graduates looking to elevate their salaries over time.
More salary data for Shawnee, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Shawnee in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Shawnee?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Shawnee?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Shawnee?
How do I become a actuary in Oklahoma?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 Shawnee. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shawnee 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