Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Plainfield, IL: $82,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Plainfield, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,964 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plainfield's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,442 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($125,962) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates seeking to enter the actuarial field in Plainfield, Illinois, can expect an entry-level actuary salary starting around $82,964. While this figure might initially appear modest compared to the median annual salary in the city of $125,962, it represents a reasonable starting point for aspiring actuaries. The growth trajectory for early-career professionals is promising, as salaries are positioned to rise significantly over the first few years. For instance, reaching a salary near the 25th percentile at $98,842 could be attainable with a combination of experience and exam progression. Considering the growth rate of 3.20%, there's a clear opportunity for new grads to advance their earnings significantly within their first few years in the profession, making Plainfield a worthwhile market for launching an actuarial career.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plainfield
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 Plainfield
Entry-level actuarys in Plainfield, IL typically start between $82,964 and $98,842 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $112,277 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $125,962 — 6.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 81.96% of the starting actuary pay ($82,964/year) in Plainfield. 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 Plainfield
- 1Research the Plainfield market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $82,964 to $98,842, 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 Plainfield, 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 Plainfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plainfield'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 Plainfield is $112,277 ( 135.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,964, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,241.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,363
2025 BLS Actual
$80,391
2026 Current Est.
$82,964
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,363 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,726 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,127 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,617 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,618 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Plainfield, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,363 in 2019 to $80,391 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,618. New graduates entering the Plainfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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 Plainfield
For those looking to secure positions in the actuarial field, understanding local employers' hiring practices is crucial. Key players in Plainfield include large life insurance companies like Prudential and Northwestern Mutual, which actively recruit recent graduates through structured internship programs. Health insurers also represent a significant source of entry-level positions, while consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer seek candidates with respects to passing actuarial exams. To enhance starting actuary pay in IL, candidates should focus on obtaining a relevant Bachelor's degree and aim to pass critical exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Progressing from Associate (ASA) to Fellow (FSA) status can result in substantial salary increases, with each exam passed adding approximately $3,000 to $8,000 to base compensation. Early career strategies should include gaining experience and credentials in predictive analytics and data science, skills increasingly demanded by employers. Realistically, actuaries in their first few years can expect gradual salary growth as they navigate the exam progression imperative to advancing their careers.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 Plainfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plainfield 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