Entry-Level Actuary Salary in North Charleston, SC: $73,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the North Charleston, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,444 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out North Charleston's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,267 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,627) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those seeking their first role as an actuary in North Charleston, South Carolina, understanding the entry-level actuary salary landscape is critical. In 2026, starting salaries are projected to begin at around $73,444, which places recent graduates significantly below the city’s median salary of $126,627. This gap highlights the importance of realistic salary expectations as new actuaries typically transition through early pay brackets, with the potential to reach approximately $97,838 by the 25th percentile within a few years. North Charleston offers a promising job market for new graduates, especially considering an annual growth rate of 3.20%, suggesting that with determination and the right educational qualifications, young professionals can expect their salaries to steadily increase as they gain experience and credentials.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in North Charleston
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 North Charleston
Entry-level actuarys in North Charleston, SC typically start between $73,444 and $97,838 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $122,829 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,627 — 5.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 61.27% of the starting actuary pay ($73,444/year) in North Charleston. 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 North Charleston
- 1Research the North Charleston market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,444 to $97,838, 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 SC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in North Charleston, 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 North Charleston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5North Charleston'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 North Charleston is $122,829 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,444, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,273.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,749
2025 BLS Actual
$71,167
2026 Current Est.
$73,444
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,749 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,999 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,278 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,123 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,167 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,795 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in North Charleston, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,749 in 2019 to $71,167 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,795. New graduates entering the North Charleston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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 North Charleston
When searching for positions, entry-level actuaries in North Charleston may want to target large life insurance firms like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, as they actively recruit new grads and integrate structured study time for examination preparation. Health insurance companies also provide opportunities for early-career professionals while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW typically offer higher base salaries for newly credentialed analysts. To boost starting actuary pay in SC, obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree in fields like math, statistics, or finance is essential, as is successfully passing actuarial exams required by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Once employed, new graduates should focus on exam progression—the major driver for salary growth—where each passed exam could potentially increase base pay by $3,000 to $8,000. This upward trajectory is particularly pronounced in consulting roles, with firms often rewarding ASA or FSA credentials more generously due to the specialized skills demanded in today's data-driven landscape.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
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 North Charleston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for North Charleston 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