Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Moline, IL: $66,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Moline, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,831 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moline's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,827 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,451) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Moline, Illinois, can anticipate starting salaries around $66,831, which represents a significant entry-level point within a broader salary spectrum that peaks at $169,648 for experienced earners. When compared to the city’s median annual salary of $109,451, entry-level pay reflects a considerable gap, emphasizing the potential growth within the first few years of a career as an actuary. Those in their first three to five years can expect incremental increases, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $82,003 as they gain experience and develop essential skills. Given this salary data and the projected growth rate of 3.20%, Moline continues to present itself as a viable market for recent graduates, particularly for those eager to launch their careers in actuarial science.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moline
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 Moline
Entry-level actuarys in Moline, IL typically start between $66,831 and $82,003 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,817 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,451 — 18.42% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 101.75% of the starting actuary pay ($66,831/year) in Moline. 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 Moline
- 1Research the Moline market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $66,831 to $82,003, 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 Moline, 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 Moline for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moline'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 Moline is $102,817 ( 153.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,831, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,648.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,459
2025 BLS Actual
$64,759
2026 Current Est.
$66,831
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,459 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,423 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,759 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,970 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Moline, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,459 in 2019 to $64,759 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,970. New graduates entering the Moline job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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 Moline
Within the Moline job market, several companies actively seek out new graduates for entry-level actuarial positions, including large life insurance firms such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often provide structured programs to assist with exam preparation. Health insurance companies also present opportunities, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW typically prefer candidates already holding an ASA credential, offering higher starting salaries as a result. Educational credentials are critical; those holding a Bachelor’s degree in areas like statistics, finance, or actuarial science will have an advantage, with additional qualifications such as passed actuarial exams greatly enhancing starting pay potential. Achieving Associate (ASA) status typically requires 4-5 years of dedicated study and exam completion, while Fellowship (FSA) necessitates even more commitment and is associated with significantly higher earning potential. For aspiring actuaries in Moline, realistic salary expectations for the first few years should reflect the incremental increase associated with exam progress, approximately translating to an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary per passed exam—making proactive exam-taking a central focus in the early career phase.
More salary data for Moline, 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 Moline. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moline 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