Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Oak Park, IL: $75,008 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Oak Park, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,008 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oak Park's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,248 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,323) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, the entry-level actuary salary starts at around $75,008 in 2026, which represents the lower end of the pay scale for those just beginning their careers. While this figure is significantly less than the median annual salary of $129,323 for the area, it still offers new graduates a solid foundation to build upon. With a growth trajectory that sees entry-level pay increasing toward the 25th percentile of $100,865 within the first few years, there is ample opportunity for those willing to invest in their professional development. For newcomers eager to enter the workforce, Oak Park presents a favorable market with a growing demand for actuaries, making it an attractive place for aspiring professionals in the field.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oak Park
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 Oak Park
Entry-level actuarys in Oak Park, IL typically start between $75,008 and $100,865 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $125,443 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,323 — 3.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 90.66% of the starting actuary pay ($75,008/year) in Oak Park. 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 Oak Park
- 1Research the Oak Park market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $75,008 to $100,865, 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 Oak Park, 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 Oak Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oak Park'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 Oak Park is $125,443 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,008, experienced hygienists can earn up to $200,451.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,999
2025 BLS Actual
$72,682
2026 Current Est.
$75,008
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,999 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,082 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,382 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,731 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,682 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,682 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,008 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,408 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Oak Park, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,999 in 2019 to $72,682 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,408. New graduates entering the Oak Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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 Oak Park
When considering career progression in the entry-level actuary role, prospective candidates should keep in mind which employers are actively seeking new graduates in Oak Park. Large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife often recruit through campus pipelines, providing structured study time for actuarial exams. Health insurance firms and consulting companies such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW also hire entry-level actuaries, but the latter usually offer higher starting salaries to candidates with relevant credentials like Associate status (ASA) or additional experience in predictive analytics. Education plays a significant role in salary negotiations; a degree in math or actuarial science is expected, but passing exams necessary for credentials significantly boosts salaries. As exam progression remains the dominant salary driver in this field, each passed exam can raise base salaries by $3,000 to $8,000, setting a competitive standard for new grad actuary pay in IL. With realistic salary growth forecasts in the first few years, new actuaries can expect to see their earnings rise as they attain necessary qualifications and build their skill sets.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 Oak Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Park 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