Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Platteville, WI: $79,553 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Platteville, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,553 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Platteville's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,175 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($117,095) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new actuary graduates considering positions in Platteville, Wisconsin can expect starting salaries around $79,553. While this figure may appear modest compared to the median annual salary of $117,095 for actuaries in the area, it represents a solid foundation for growth. Entry-level actuaries can realistically anticipate their earnings increasing as they acquire experience and progress through their exams, with potential advancement to the first quartile salary of $90,301 within a few years. Taking into account the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, this makes Platteville a relatively attractive market for new grads, especially when compared to the slower pace of salary growth in other regions.
About the Platteville Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Platteville
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 Platteville
Entry-level actuarys in Platteville, WI typically start between $79,553 and $90,301 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $101,944 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $117,095 — 12.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 60.34% of the starting actuary pay ($79,553/year) in Platteville. 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 Platteville
- 1Research the Platteville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,553 to $90,301, 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 Platteville, 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 Platteville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Platteville'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 Platteville is $101,944 ( 128.15%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,553, experienced hygienists can earn up to $181,497.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,635
2025 BLS Actual
$77,086
2026 Current Est.
$79,553
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Platteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,783 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,065 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,405 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,645 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,086 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,553 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,098 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Platteville, WI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,635 in 2019 to $77,086 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,098. New graduates entering the Platteville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Platteville 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 Platteville
Several employers in Platteville actively seek entry-level actuaries, including large life insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often consider campus engagement strategies to recruit promising talent. Health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer also welcome newly graduated actuaries, particularly those with credentials such as the Associate (ASA) designation. Candidates can enhance their new grad actuary pay in WI by passing actuarial exams, which yield immediate salary increases of $3,000 to $8,000 for each completed exam. Focusing on the first few years of their careers, entry-level actuaries should prioritize studying for the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams, as achieving these milestones not only boosts starting pay but also greatly impacts long-term earning potential. Predictive analytics skills are increasingly becoming critical to securing competitive positions within the job market.
More salary data for Platteville, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Platteville in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Platteville?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Platteville?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Platteville?
How do I become a actuary in Wisconsin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Platteville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Platteville 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