Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Appleton, WI: $71,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Appleton, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,832 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Appleton's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,908 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,849) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Appleton, Wisconsin, the starting salaries paint an optimistic picture. With an entry-level actuary salary of $71,832 in 2026, aspiring professionals can expect to build a solid foundation over the first few years. When considering the median annual salary of $123,849 for all actuaries in the city, there remains a noticeable gap, highlighting the potential for significant career advancement. As new actuaries progress, they may find themselves moving up to $95,942 at the 25th percentile and beyond, reflecting a growth trajectory that can result from gaining valuable experience and passing exams. The 3.20% annual growth rate indicates Appleton is a favorable market for new graduates entering the profession, offering pathways to increasing wages as they develop their skills and credentials.
About the Appleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Appleton
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 Appleton
Entry-level actuarys in Appleton, WI typically start between $71,832 and $95,942 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $120,134 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,849 — 7.69% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 66.82% of the starting actuary pay ($71,832/year) in Appleton. 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 Appleton
- 1Research the Appleton market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $71,832 to $95,942, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Appleton, 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 Appleton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Appleton's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Appleton is $120,134 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,832, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,966.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,690
2025 BLS Actual
$69,605
2026 Current Est.
$71,832
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,496 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,779 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,605 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,131 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Appleton, WI grew 43.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,690 in 2019 to $69,605 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,131. New graduates entering the Appleton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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 Appleton
In terms of employment opportunities for new actuaries, major players like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit recent graduates from local universities, providing structured programs geared toward passing actuarial exams. Health insurance companies also hire entry-level positions, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW favor candidates with strong credentials and earlier progress in their exams. Actuaries looking to increase their starting pay in Wisconsin should prioritize obtaining a bachelor’s degree in math, statistics, or a related field and consider pursuing VEE credits. Progressing from Associate (ASA) to Fellow (FSA) status plays a significant role in salary growth, as each passed exam typically adds $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary. Realistically, entry-level actuaries can anticipate salary growth in their first three years, driven largely by exam success and the demand for skills in predictive analytics and data science, which are becoming increasingly important in the field.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 Appleton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Appleton 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