Entry-Level Actuary Salary in La Crosse, WI: $73,412 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the La Crosse, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,412 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out La Crosse's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $78,600 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($121,120) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Crosse, a starting actuary can expect an entry-level salary of around $73,412 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the city’s median actuary annual pay of $121,120. New graduates will need to set realistic expectations, as the gap between entry-level and median salaries reveals the room for growth. Within the first few years, actuaries can anticipate a trajectory that leads them from the $73,412 starting compact through to $87,978 by the 25th percentile, possibly reaching the city median within three to five years. Given these figures, La Crosse presents a reasonable market for fresh grads, especially as the annual growth rate for these positions is projected at 3.20%, indicating stable progression opportunities in the field.
About the La Crosse Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in La Crosse
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 La Crosse
Entry-level actuarys in La Crosse, WI typically start between $73,412 and $87,978 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,323 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $121,120 — 9.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 65.38% of the starting actuary pay ($73,412/year) in La Crosse. 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 La Crosse
- 1Research the La Crosse market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,412 to $87,978, 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 La Crosse, 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 La Crosse for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5La Crosse'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 La Crosse is $114,323 ( 155.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,412, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,735.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,723
2025 BLS Actual
$71,136
2026 Current Est.
$73,412
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,723 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,782 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,275 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,136 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,412 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,762 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in La Crosse, WI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,723 in 2019 to $71,136 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,762. New graduates entering the La Crosse job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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 La Crosse
In La Crosse, employers such as health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW actively seek aspiring actuaries through college recruiting efforts. Many of these organizations offer structured support for exam preparation, which is vital as passing exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) leads directly to pay increases. Entry-level salaries can climb considerably with each passed exam, often adding $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary, so it is essential for recent grads to invest time in their continuing education early in their careers. Graduates with Bachelor's degrees in fields like math, statistics, or actuarial science who also gain VEE credits may have a competitive edge. Moreover, those on the ASA-to-FSA track should focus on developing predictive analytics and data science skills, which are becoming increasingly vital across the industry. As actuaries move through their first three years in La Crosse, realistic salary growth expectations can occur as credentials are earned, particularly for those who secure positions in high-paying consulting roles.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 La Crosse. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for La Crosse 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