Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Normal, IL: $73,981 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Normal, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,981 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Normal's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,191 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,299) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those eyeing a career as an entry-level actuary in Normal, Illinois, the 2026 starting pay positions itself at about $73,981. This figure falls significantly below the city's median annual salary of $126,299, revealing a clear gap that new graduates will want to factor into their career planning. However, there's potential for growth; within the first few years, many can expect to see their salaries ascend through the percentile ranges, first reaching approximately $92,190 before aiming for the median as they accumulate experience and perhaps pass critical actuarial exams. Currently, Normal presents a viable market for fresh graduates, especially given the city's cost of living index of 97.1, which is below the national average.
About the Normal Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Normal
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 Normal
Entry-level actuarys in Normal, IL typically start between $73,981 and $92,190 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,783 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,299 — 5.86% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 91.92% of the starting actuary pay ($73,981/year) in Normal. 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 Normal
- 1Research the Normal market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,981 to $92,190, 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 Normal, 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 Normal for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Normal'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 Normal is $121,783 ( 164.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,981, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,764.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,178
2025 BLS Actual
$71,687
2026 Current Est.
$73,981
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,178 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,246 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,718 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,474 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,982 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,687 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,981 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,348 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Normal, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,178 in 2019 to $71,687 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,348. New graduates entering the Normal job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Normal 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 Normal
In the quest for entry-level positions, candidates in Normal should look towards large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which actively recruit from local universities and often provide structured study time for exam preparation. Health insurance firms are also hiring, as are consulting outfits such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW, which typically offer higher base salaries for ASA-credentialed positions. To enhance starting actuary salaries in Illinois, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in math, statistics, or actuarial science is crucial, as is passing the requisite foundational actuarial exams. Given that each passed exam can lead to salary boosts ranging from $3,000 to $8,000, it's vital for new actuaries to strategically plan their exam schedules. Career growth expectations indicate that those who actively engage in continued education and gain their ASA within the first few years will place themselves in a favorable position for advancement and increased compensation in both the P&C and life sectors.
More salary data for Normal, 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 Normal. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Normal 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