Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Madison, WI: $83,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Madison, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,736 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Madison's local price level (BEA RPP 97.3 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,071 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,661) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the starting salary for an entry-level actuary is projected at $83,736 in 2026, representing a competitive entry point for new graduates entering the field. This figure stands in stark contrast to the median annual salary for actuaries in the city, which is estimated to be $139,661, illustrating a significant gap as new professionals begin their careers. Throughout the initial years, entry-level actuaries can anticipate gradual salary increases, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile at around $106,090 within three to five years. With a growth rate of 3.20% annually, Madison presents a favorable market for aspiring actuaries, offering new graduates opportunities for advancement and professional development in a city that supports their career ambitions.
Career Earnings Timeline in Madison
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 Madison
Entry-level actuarys in Madison, WI typically start between $83,736 and $106,090 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $139,723 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,661 — 4.1% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 57.32% of the starting actuary pay ($83,736/year) in Madison. 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 Madison
- 1Research the Madison market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $83,736 to $106,090, 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 Madison, 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 Madison for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Madison'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 Madison is $139,723 ( 166.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,736, experienced hygienists can earn up to $223,459.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,390
2025 BLS Actual
$81,140
2026 Current Est.
$83,736
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,416 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Madison, WI grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,390 in 2019 to $81,140 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,416. New graduates entering the Madison job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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 Madison
Many prominent employers in Madison hire new grads into entry-level actuarial positions, including major life insurance companies like Prudential and Northwestern Mutual, which actively recruit through university channels and provide structured support for exam preparation. Health insurance firms also play a vital role in hiring, while consulting agencies such as Milliman and Mercer look for analysts with an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) credential, often paying a higher base to those with the appropriate designations. To enhance earning potential, candidates should focus on acquiring foundational qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or actuarial science. Additionally, completing actuarial exams through the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society, coupled with validated educational experiences (VEE credits), can significantly boost starting pay. Since each passed exam might increase base salary by approximately $3,000 to $8,000, a strategic approach to exam progression will lead to upward mobility within the first few years of an actuarial career in Madison.
More salary data for Madison, 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 Madison. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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