Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL: $76,215 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lake in the Hills, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,215 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lake in the Hills's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $78,491 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($127,408) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the actuarial profession, the starting actuary salary in Lake in the Hills, IL, is expected to be $76,215 in 2026, a figure that remains notably lower than the median annual salary for the area, which is projected at $127,408. This translates to a significant income gap that new graduates should anticipate as they embark on their careers. Entry-level actuaries can expect a trajectory that sees their salaries rise to $93,991 in the 25th percentile during the first few years, reflecting the value of gaining experience and credentials. Given this context, Lake in the Hills presents a promising market for new actuaries, particularly with its steady growth rate of 3.20% expected over the next five years.
About the Lake in the Hills Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lake in the Hills
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 Lake in the Hills
Entry-level actuarys in Lake in the Hills, IL typically start between $76,215 and $93,991 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,266 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $127,408 — 5.03% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 89.22% of the starting actuary pay ($76,215/year) in Lake in the Hills. 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 Lake in the Hills
- 1Research the Lake in the Hills market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,215 to $93,991, 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 Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lake in the Hills'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 Lake in the Hills is $121,266 ( 159.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,215, experienced hygienists can earn up to $197,481.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,965
2025 BLS Actual
$73,852
2026 Current Est.
$76,215
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,965 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,461 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,451 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,215 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,654 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lake in the Hills, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,965 in 2019 to $73,852 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,654. New graduates entering the Lake in the Hills job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills
Employers in Lake in the Hills actively seek new graduates from actuarial programs, particularly large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit through campus career fairs and offer structured study times for actuarial exams. Health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer also hire entry-level actuaries, especially those with Associate-level credentials (ASA). In Illinois, having a degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or finance significantly enhances starting salaries, while passing preliminary actuarial exams can add approximately $3,000 to $8,000 to base pay for each exam passed. In the competitive landscape of consulting, firms may pay premiums for candidates who achieve Fellowship status (FSA / FCAS), which requires a commitment of 7 to 10 years and passing 10 or more exams. Overall, new actuaries can realistically expect their first 1-3 years to yield notable salary increases as they progress through their exams and enhance their skill set, especially in analytics and data science, which are in demand in today’s market.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake in the Hills 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