Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Rockford, IL: $78,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Rockford, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,321 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rockford's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,660 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,209) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting as an actuary in Rockford, Illinois, can be financially rewarding, although the entry-level actuary salary can feel a bit low compared to the overall median in the area. In 2026, new graduates can expect to earn around $78,321, which is significantly lower than the city median of $129,209, suggesting that there are considerable earnings potential as one advances in their career. Entry-level positions typically offer a pathway to higher pay, with potential earnings rising to $96,602 within a few years as experience and credentials build up. This growth trajectory shows that Rockford, with a projected 3.20% annual increase in salaries, provides a solid market for new actuarial graduates looking to establish their careers.
About the Rockford Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rockford
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 Rockford
Entry-level actuarys in Rockford, IL typically start between $78,321 and $96,602 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,954 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,209 — 3.69% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 86.82% of the starting actuary pay ($78,321/year) in Rockford. 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 Rockford
- 1Research the Rockford market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $78,321 to $96,602, 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 Rockford, 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 Rockford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Rockford'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 Rockford is $121,954 ( 155.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,321, experienced hygienists can earn up to $200,275.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,649
2025 BLS Actual
$75,892
2026 Current Est.
$78,321
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,649 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,779 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,104 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,314 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,811 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,137 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,827 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Rockford, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,649 in 2019 to $75,892 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,827. New graduates entering the Rockford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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 Rockford
Various employers in Rockford are actively seeking to hire recent graduates in actuarial science, with prominent life insurance companies like Prudential and Northwestern Mutual known for their structured training programs that integrate study time for actuarial exams. Health insurance firms also recruit entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer prefer candidates already pursuing ASA credentials. To maximize starting pay, incoming actuaries should focus on obtaining a bachelor's degree in related fields such as mathematics or statistics and work on passing the initial Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams. Moreover, adding VEE credits in topics like economics and accounting can increase attractiveness to employers. Exam progression is a vital part of salary advancement; passing an exam can add between $3,000-$8,000 to one’s salary. Therefore, focusing on continuous learning and gaining analytical skills in predictive analytics or data science will enhance career prospects and salary growth in Rockford's actuarial market.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rockford 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