Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Carpentersville, IL: $82,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Carpentersville, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,138 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Carpentersville's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,591 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($127,024) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those embarking on a career as an actuary in Carpentersville, Illinois, the starting salary presents a realistic expectation for new graduates. With an entry-level actuary salary projected at $82,138 in 2026, it sets a foundation significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $127,024. However, there is potential for career growth; early-career professionals can see their compensation increase to approximately $98,152 as they gain experience and skills, moving toward the median within the first few years. Carpentersville's actuarial job market offers a solid entry point for recent graduates, providing opportunities for advancement as they develop their qualifications and expertise in this vital field.
About the Carpentersville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Carpentersville
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 Carpentersville
Entry-level actuarys in Carpentersville, IL typically start between $82,138 and $98,152 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,749 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $127,024 — 5.32% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 82.79% of the starting actuary pay ($82,138/year) in Carpentersville. 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 Carpentersville
- 1Research the Carpentersville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $82,138 to $98,152, 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 Carpentersville, 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 Carpentersville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Carpentersville'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 Carpentersville is $114,749 ( 139.70%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,138, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,887.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,703
2025 BLS Actual
$79,591
2026 Current Est.
$82,138
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Carpentersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,703 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,888 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,693 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,591 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,766 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Carpentersville, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,703 in 2019 to $79,591 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,766. New graduates entering the Carpentersville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carpentersville 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 Carpentersville
Looking closely at the employers in Carpentersville that hire new actuaries, notable companies include large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, as well as consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer, which often seek out fresh talent through campus networking. New graduates armed with a Bachelor’s degree in fields like mathematics or actuarial science and passing early actuarial exams can expect to enhance their earning potential. The path to becoming an Associate (ASA) typically involves passing five to seven exams over four to five years, which can significantly boost salaries; each passed exam may lead to salary increases ranging from $3,000 to $8,000. Consulting firms in particular tend to offer higher initial compensation for actuaries who advance to Fellowship (FSA), making the strategic pursuit of credentials essential to climbing the salary ladder in this market. With annual growth projected at 3.20%, new actuaries can anticipate steady salary increases during their first few years as they establish their careers in Illinois.
More salary data for Carpentersville, 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 Carpentersville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carpentersville 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