Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lombard, IL: $73,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lombard, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,693 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lombard's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,894 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,225) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering their careers as actuaries in Lombard, Illinois, the starting salary can initially appear modest. The anticipated entry-level actuary salary in Lombard is projected at $73,693 in 2026. This figure is quite a distance from the city’s median annual salary of $126,225, highlighting a significant gap that early-career professionals can expect to bridge over time. As they gain experience and pass more actuarial exams, new actuaries may see their salaries increase substantially, moving from the initial entry-level figure closer to the P25 benchmark of $99,369 within a few years. Given the city's growing market for actuarial talent and the potential for salary advancement, Lombard can be seen as a viable starting point for those entering this profession.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lombard
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 Lombard
Entry-level actuarys in Lombard, IL typically start between $73,693 and $99,369 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,956 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,225 — 5.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 92.27% of the starting actuary pay ($73,693/year) in Lombard. 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 Lombard
- 1Research the Lombard market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,693 to $99,369, 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 Lombard, 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 Lombard for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lombard'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 Lombard is $121,956 ( 165.49%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,693, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,649.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,948
2025 BLS Actual
$71,408
2026 Current Est.
$73,693
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,011 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,494 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,509 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,051 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lombard, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,948 in 2019 to $71,408 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,051. New graduates entering the Lombard job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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 Lombard
Large employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit entry-level actuaries from local colleges and universities, offering structured pathways that include exam study time and professional development. Health insurance companies and consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer also seek fresh talent, often providing higher base salaries to those with Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) credentials. While a bachelor’s degree in fields like mathematics or actuarial science is vital, passing actuarial exams remains the primary driver of salary growth; each successful exam can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to an actuary's base pay. The path to achieving Fellowship status can take years and necessitates a rigorous examination process, yet it significantly boosts salary potential. Realistically, within the first three years, a strategic focus on exam progression and acquiring additional relevant skills can elevate new grad actuary pay in IL, placing candidates in a competitive position as they aim for consulting roles or more specialized positions in industries like property and casualty.
More salary data for Lombard, 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 Lombard. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lombard 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