Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Stillwater, OK: $71,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Stillwater, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,955 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Stillwater's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,939 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($116,021) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting salaries for new graduates entering the field of actuarial science in Stillwater, Oklahoma, are projected to begin around $71,955 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the median annual salary of $116,021 for actuaries in the city, presenting a significant gap that new actuaries can expect as they embark on their careers. Over the first few years, entry-level actuaries can anticipate a realistic growth trajectory, moving from initial pay levels through the 25th percentile salary of $87,683 as they gain experience and potentially achieve initial actuarial exam credentials. Given the local job market and overall salary trends, Stillwater can be considered a viable option for recent graduates seeking to establish themselves in the actuarial profession, especially as they increase their qualifications and marketability through further education and exam completions.
About the Stillwater Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Stillwater
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 Stillwater
Entry-level actuarys in Stillwater, OK typically start between $71,955 and $87,683 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,877 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $116,021 — 13.52% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oklahoma of $40,000 represents just 55.59% of the starting actuary pay ($71,955/year) in Stillwater. 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 Stillwater
- 1Research the Stillwater market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $71,955 to $87,683, 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 Stillwater, 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 Stillwater for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Stillwater'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 Stillwater is $107,877 ( 149.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,955, experienced hygienists can earn up to $179,832.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,558
2025 BLS Actual
$69,724
2026 Current Est.
$71,955
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Stillwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,596 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,681 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,893 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,724 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,258 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Stillwater, OK grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,558 in 2019 to $69,724 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,258. New graduates entering the Stillwater job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stillwater 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 Stillwater
In terms of job prospects, large insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife traditionally recruit fresh talent straight from academic programs in Stillwater, offering structured training and exam preparation as part of their employment packages. Health insurance firms and consulting giants like Mercer and Aon are also on the lookout for newly minted actuaries, often providing incentives for those who are actively pursuing professional designations like the ASA. Educational backgrounds that support entry-level roles typically include degrees in mathematics, statistics, and actuarial science, but obtaining value-added credits in economics and accounting can boost new grad actuary pay OK. Additionally, successful completion of actuarial exams can lead to significant pay increases—often ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 per exam passed—which serve as a critical factor in salary growth during the formative years of an actuary's career. Maintaining a focus on gaining specialized skills, such as predictive analytics, will be increasingly important in staying relevant within the evolving landscape of the actuarial profession in the coming years.
More salary data for Stillwater, OK:
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 Stillwater. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Stillwater 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