Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Summerville, SC: $75,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Summerville, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,773 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Summerville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,812 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,192) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Summerville, South Carolina, new graduates entering the actuarial profession can expect an entry-level salary around $75,773 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $120,192, it presents a viable starting point within the context of an actuarial career. Over the first 3 to 5 years, actuaries in this market typically progress toward the 25th percentile salary of $91,758, with continued growth as they gain experience and obtain professional credentials. Summerville’s employment landscape for entry-level actuaries is promising, providing a competitive advantage for new hires in a state where demand continues to grow.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Summerville
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 Summerville
Entry-level actuarys in Summerville, SC typically start between $75,773 and $91,758 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $110,525 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,192 — 10.41% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in South Carolina of $45,000 represents just 59.39% of the starting actuary pay ($75,773/year) in Summerville. 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 Summerville
- 1Research the Summerville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $75,773 to $91,758, 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 Summerville, 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 Summerville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Summerville'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 Summerville is $110,525 ( 145.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,773, experienced hygienists can earn up to $186,298.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,611
2025 BLS Actual
$73,423
2026 Current Est.
$75,773
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,611 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,704 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,116 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,442 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,423 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,197 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Summerville, SC grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,611 in 2019 to $73,423 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,197. New graduates entering the Summerville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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 Summerville
Employers in Summerville attracting entry-level actuaries include notable life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurers and consulting firms such as Aon and Mercer. These organizations often have structured pathways for candidate recruitment, including exam preparation time, which is crucial for career advancement. For new grads, obtaining a degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science can enhance their prospects, particularly when they participate in the VEE (Validation by Educational Experience) credits and pursue actuarial exams. Each exam completed might lead to an increase in their base salary from $3,000 to $8,000. In terms of early career growth, entry-level actuaries can anticipate steady increases in their salaries as they progress through the ASA designation, with future transition opportunities to the FSA credential leading to even higher pay. The market's evolving need for predictive analytics and data science skills could further enhance compensation trajectories for those willing to invest additional time and effort into their professional development.
More salary data for Summerville, 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 Summerville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Summerville 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