Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $84,645 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Virginia Beach, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,645 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Virginia Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 97.9 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,424 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,738) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Virginia Beach can expect to see a starting salary of around $84,645. This initial pay level sits substantially below the city's median annual salary of $104,738, highlighting the trajectory many entry-level actuaries must navigate in their early careers. Over the first few years, growth potential is promising, with projections indicating that salaries can rise to approximately $87,926 as experience and expertise accumulate. For those considering a career in this region, Virginia Beach presents a relatively stable market for recent graduates, given the expected growth rate of 3.20% annually. Those seeking to enter this profession should focus on developing solid analytical skills and preparing for actuarial exams that will be key to career advancement.
Career Earnings Timeline in Virginia Beach
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 Virginia Beach
Entry-level actuarys in Virginia Beach, VA typically start between $84,645 and $87,926 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $98,741 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,738 — 21.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Virginia of $58,000 represents just 68.52% of the starting actuary pay ($84,645/year) in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach
- 1Research the Virginia Beach market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $84,645 to $87,926, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Virginia Beach's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Virginia Beach is $98,741 ( 116.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,645, experienced hygienists can earn up to $183,386.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,708
2025 BLS Actual
$82,020
2026 Current Est.
$84,645
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,929 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,038 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,911 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,645 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,353 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Virginia Beach, VA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,708 in 2019 to $82,020 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,353. New graduates entering the Virginia Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
Regarding employment opportunities for newcomers in Virginia Beach, various employers actively seek entry-level actuaries. Large life insurance firms such as Prudential and MetLife frequently recruit from local universities and offer structured pathways for exam preparation. Health insurance companies look for candidates to fill entry-level positions that support their operations. Additionally, consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer are known to pay higher base salaries to candidates with ASA credentials. For aspiring actuaries, earning a Bachelor's degree in fields like mathematics or finance, along with passing initial actuarial exams, is crucial for enhancing starting pay in the state. The compensation for entry-level actuaries is significantly influenced by progression in exam standings, with each exam passed typically adding between $3,000 and $8,000 to base salary. As professionals advance towards earning their FSA or FCAS, salary expectations can increase markedly, particularly in consulting roles where advanced analytical skills are becoming increasingly necessary. The alignment of strong educational credentials, relevant exam success, and an understanding of the local employment landscape will be critical for maximizing career potential in Virginia Beach.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
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 Virginia Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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