Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Berwyn, IL: $74,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Berwyn, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,660 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Berwyn's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,890 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,724) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates looking to start their careers as actuaries in Berwyn, Illinois can anticipate entry-level salaries beginning at $74,660. This figure represents the lower end of the pay spectrum for actuarial positions in the area. With the city’s median annual salary for actuaries projected at $128,724, there is a noticeable gap that new grads should be aware of as they embark on their professional journeys. On average, an entry-level actuary can expect their pay to grow over the first few years as they gain experience and potentially earn promotions, moving from $74,660 to a more competitive range around the $99,681 mark in their early career trajectory. The 3.20% annual growth rate in the actuarial field suggests that Berwyn remains a viable market for newcomers, especially when considering the cost of living, which is slightly below the national average.
About the Berwyn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Berwyn
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 Berwyn
Entry-level actuarys in Berwyn, IL typically start between $74,660 and $99,681 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $124,863 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,724 — 4.05% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 91.08% of the starting actuary pay ($74,660/year) in Berwyn. 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 Berwyn
- 1Research the Berwyn market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,660 to $99,681, 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 Berwyn, 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 Berwyn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Berwyn'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 Berwyn is $124,863 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,660, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,523.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,721
2025 BLS Actual
$72,345
2026 Current Est.
$74,660
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Berwyn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,721 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,799 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,248 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,075 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,408 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,345 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,049 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Berwyn, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,721 in 2019 to $72,345 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,049. New graduates entering the Berwyn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berwyn 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 Berwyn
In Berwyn, new graduates should be mindful of the specific employers that frequently hire entry-level actuaries. Companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often recruit directly from universities and provide structured exam support, creating an ideal environment for new actuaries to thrive. Health insurance firms also present opportunities for recent graduates, as they look to fill positions that focus on risk assessment and pricing strategies. Consulting giants such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher starting pay and seek those with advanced credentials like the ASA designation, which is achievable in around four to five years of study and exam completion. Academic backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science are highly valued, along with completion of VEE credits. Graduates who successfully progress through exams can expect significant salary increases, with each passed exam adding approximately $3,000 to $8,000 to their base pay. Therefore, focusing on passing exams early in their careers will be crucial for actuaries in Berwyn looking to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Berwyn, 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 Berwyn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berwyn 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