Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $79,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Downers Grove, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,660 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Downers Grove's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,039 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($124,284) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates aiming for a career as an actuary in Downers Grove, IL, can expect to start their journey with an entry-level actuary salary around $79,660 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap from the city's median annual salary of $124,284, highlighting the typical financial trajectory for new entrants in the field. Candidates can anticipate gradual salary growth as they gain experience and credentials—moving from $79,660 to approximately $95,515 at the 25th percentile, and eventually reaching the median within their first three to five years in the role. Overall, Downers Grove remains a competitive market for new actuaries, providing ample opportunity for upward mobility in a field where demand is closely tied to professional progression and actuarial exams.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Downers Grove
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 Downers Grove
Entry-level actuarys in Downers Grove, IL typically start between $79,660 and $95,515 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $112,980 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $124,284 — 7.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 85.36% of the starting actuary pay ($79,660/year) in Downers Grove. 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 Downers Grove
- 1Research the Downers Grove market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,660 to $95,515, 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 Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Downers Grove'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 Downers Grove is $112,980 ( 141.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,660, experienced hygienists can earn up to $192,640.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,721
2025 BLS Actual
$77,190
2026 Current Est.
$79,660
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,721 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,056 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,427 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,209 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Downers Grove, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,721 in 2019 to $77,190 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,209. New graduates entering the Downers Grove job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, key employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often seek fresh talent that has recently graduated from actuarial programs. These firms typically have established recruitment pipelines for new actuaries, often offering support for exam preparation, which can set a strong foundation for future salary increases. Health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and Aon also actively hire entry-level actuaries, with a preference for candidates holding Associate (ASA) or Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS) credentials. The potential for earning more significant starting salaries exists for those pursuing higher credentials; for example, passing actuarial exams—especially those from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) for life and health or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) for property and casualty—can increase base pay by $3,000 to $8,000 for each exam passed. Additionally, current industry trends indicate that skills in predictive analytics and data science are increasingly sought after, making candidates with these proficiencies more attractive to employers.
More salary data for Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Downers Grove 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