Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Addison, IL: $79,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Addison, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,485 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Addison's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,859 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,782) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the actuarial profession, the starting pay in Addison, Illinois is expected to begin around $79,485 in 2026. This entry-level actuary salary in Addison sits well below the city’s median rate of $128,782, establishing a considerable gap that new graduates should strategize to bridge. Over the initial years, a trajectory from the entry-level point to the 25th percentile at $96,712 presents a realistic growth pathway for early-career actuaries, especially as they gain experience and continue their professional development. Given the area's current job market and the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Addison remains a viable option for fresh graduates looking to kick-start their careers, especially with firms needing talent in the actuarial domain.
About the Addison Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Addison
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 Addison
Entry-level actuarys in Addison, IL typically start between $79,485 and $96,712 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $120,128 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,782 — 4.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 85.55% of the starting actuary pay ($79,485/year) in Addison. 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 Addison
- 1Research the Addison market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,485 to $96,712, 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 IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Addison, 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 Addison for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Addison'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 Addison is $120,128 ( 151.13%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,485, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,613.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,580
2025 BLS Actual
$77,020
2026 Current Est.
$79,485
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Addison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,727 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,012 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,344 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,893 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,229 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,028 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Addison, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,580 in 2019 to $77,020 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,028. New graduates entering the Addison job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Addison 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 Addison
New graduates in Addison will find a variety of employers that actively recruit for their actuarial talent. Major life insurers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often seek candidates through college campus recruitment, offering structured study time for actuarial exams as part of their onboarding process. Additionally, health insurance companies and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW provide competitive opportunities for entry-level actuaries who have earned their Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) credential. For new grads, investing time in continuing education, such as passing initial actuarial exams and obtaining VEE credits in economics, accounting, and mathematics, significantly enhances starting pay in Illinois. In the first two to three years, each exam passed can yield an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in salary, establishing a clear incentive for early testing. Thus, understanding the unique pathways to credentialing and remaining adept in predictive analytics and data science can bolster earnings and employment prospects as actuaries advance their careers in Illinois.
More salary data for Addison, IL:
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 Addison. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Addison 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