Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Aurora, IL: $77,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Aurora, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,233 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Aurora's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,540 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,641) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates pursuing an entry-level actuary position in Aurora, Illinois can expect a starting salary around $77,233. This figure represents the lower tenth percentile for the role, which sets a realistic expectation for entry-level candidates when compared to the overall median annual salary of $128,641 for actuaries in the city. Over the first three to five years, there is a potential growth pathway from this entry-level benchmark towards the 25th percentile salary of $92,729 and eventually reaching the median. With a projected growth rate of 3.20% annually, Aurora continues to be an appealing market for fresh graduates, fostering opportunities for professional development and salary advancement within the actuarial profession.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Aurora
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 Aurora
Entry-level actuarys in Aurora, IL typically start between $77,233 and $92,729 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $122,161 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,641 — 4.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 88.05% of the starting actuary pay ($77,233/year) in Aurora. 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 Aurora
- 1Research the Aurora market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $77,233 to $92,729, 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 Aurora, 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 Aurora for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Aurora'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 Aurora is $122,161 ( 158.17%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,233, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,394.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,779
2025 BLS Actual
$74,838
2026 Current Est.
$77,233
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,779 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,894 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,351 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,087 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,838 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,704 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Aurora, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,779 in 2019 to $74,838 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,704. New graduates entering the Aurora job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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 Aurora
Employers in Aurora actively hire new graduates for actuarial roles, primarily targeting large life insurance providers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual. These firms typically recruit actuarial students through college networks and often provide structured study time for examination preparation. Additionally, health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW also seek entry-level talent, often favoring ASA-credentialed applicants for higher starting salaries. Those entering the workforce should emphasize educational credentials in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, along with passing progression exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Early-career actuaries have the chance to significantly boost their earning potential—often by $3,000 to $8,000 per annual base salary—by successfully completing these exams. Given the competitive nature of consulting firms, which typically award premium compensation to future Fellows (FSA/FCAS), newcomers should devise a strategic plan focused on passing exams to maximize salary growth within their initial years in Aurora's dynamic actuarial market.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Aurora in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Aurora?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Aurora?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Aurora?
How do I become a actuary in Illinois?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Aurora. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aurora 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