Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Tinley Park, IL: $82,272 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Tinley Park, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,272 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tinley Park's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $84,729 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,621) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tinley Park, Illinois, the expected starting salary for an entry-level actuary is $82,272 in 2026, a figure that starkly contrasts with the city’s median annual salary of $128,621. For recent graduates, this creates a notable gap, illustrating the journey of initial earning potential. However, there is a clear upward trajectory, as new actuaries can anticipate earning around $99,478 at the 25th percentile within a few years, ultimately moving toward the median salary as they gain experience and pass required exams. Given Tinley Park's moderate cost of living index at 97.1, graduates may find the local job market moderately favorable, although the competitive nature of the industry means that boosting credentials early on with exams and relevant skills is essential for long-term success.
About the Tinley Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tinley 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 Tinley Park
Entry-level actuarys in Tinley Park, IL typically start between $82,272 and $99,478 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,091 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,621 — 4.13% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Illinois of $68,000 represents just 82.65% of the starting actuary pay ($82,272/year) in Tinley 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 Tinley Park
- 1Research the Tinley Park market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $82,272 to $99,478, 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 Tinley 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 Tinley Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tinley 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 Tinley Park is $117,091 ( 142.32%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,272, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,363.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,810
2025 BLS Actual
$79,721
2026 Current Est.
$82,272
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Tinley Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,997 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,187 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,811 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,721 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,272 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,905 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Tinley Park, IL grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,810 in 2019 to $79,721 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,905. New graduates entering the Tinley Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tinley 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 Tinley Park
Employers in Tinley Park actively recruit new grads from accredited programs, especially large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which offer structured career paths alongside exam preparation. Health insurers also provide opportunities for entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW favor candidates who are progressing towards ASA or have already achieved some level of professional designation. A strong educational background in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science is crucial, alongside passing preliminary exams from the SOA or CAS. In this beginning phase, accumulating VEE credits can further enhance starting pay in Illinois as well. New actuaries should expect to set clear career goals and pursue exam progress diligently, as each exam completed tends to contribute an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. Overall, realistic salary growth in the first three years is contingent upon continuous advancement in exam qualifications and acquiring relevant skills, such as data analytics, which are increasingly sought after in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Tinley 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 Tinley Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tinley 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