Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $69,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Spartanburg, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,867 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Spartanburg's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,357 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($119,135) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the actuarial field in Spartanburg, South Carolina, can expect starting salaries that typically hover around $69,867 in 2026. This initial pay is markedly below the city’s median annual salary of $119,135, indicating a substantial gap that newly hired actuaries may experience as they begin their careers. However, the potential for upward salary movement is promising; as actuaries progress to the 25th percentile at $94,019 and eventually reach the median within their first three to five years, they can anticipate a robust growth trajectory. With a growth rate of 3.20%, the Spartanburg market presents a realistic opportunity for new graduates looking to establish themselves in this profession and benefit from the rising demand for skilled actuaries.
About the Spartanburg Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Spartanburg
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 Spartanburg
Entry-level actuarys in Spartanburg, SC typically start between $69,867 and $94,019 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,793 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $119,135 — 11.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 64.41% of the starting actuary pay ($69,867/year) in Spartanburg. 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 Spartanburg
- 1Research the Spartanburg market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $69,867 to $94,019, 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 Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Spartanburg'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 Spartanburg is $114,793 ( 164.30%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,867, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,660.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,888
2025 BLS Actual
$67,701
2026 Current Est.
$69,867
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,888 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,896 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,509 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,833 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,952 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,701 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,103 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Spartanburg, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,888 in 2019 to $67,701 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,103. New graduates entering the Spartanburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, several key employers actively seek entry-level actuaries, particularly large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, along with health insurance firms and consulting organizations such as Milliman and Mercer. These companies often have structured programs to support new grads in passing actuarial exams and achieving the Associate (ASA) or even Fellow (FSA) designations that can significantly influence starting pay. For instance, so many new graduates find that passing each actuarial exam can boost their base salary by an additional $3,000 to $8,000. The right educational background—typically a Bachelor's in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science—along with relevant work experiences, will open doors to better positions and salaries. Furthermore, with emerging skills in predictive analytics and data science increasingly sought after in the industry, new actuaries can enhance their marketability in the competitive landscape of Spartanburg.
More salary data for Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Spartanburg 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