Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $73,927 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Pleasant Prairie, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,927 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pleasant Prairie's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,151 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($119,026) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Recent projections for 2026 indicate that new graduates entering the actuarial profession in Pleasant Prairie can expect a starting salary of about $73,927. This entry-level figure is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $119,026, creating a significant gap that reflects typical career progression. Although entry-level salaries can seem modest, there is potential for growth: many early-career actuaries can advance to approximately $89,528 within their first few years. This means graduates can expect steady increases in pay as they gain experience and potentially pass their actuarial exams, which is crucial for advancing within the profession. Pleasant Prairie presents a favorable job market for new actuaries, given its reasonable cost of living index of 93.4, which is below the national average, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle on a new grad salary in WI.
About the Pleasant Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pleasant Prairie
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 Pleasant Prairie
Entry-level actuarys in Pleasant Prairie, WI typically start between $73,927 and $89,528 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $110,563 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $119,026 — 11.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 64.93% of the starting actuary pay ($73,927/year) in Pleasant Prairie. 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 Pleasant Prairie
- 1Research the Pleasant Prairie market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,927 to $89,528, 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 Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pleasant Prairie'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 Pleasant Prairie is $110,563 ( 149.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,927, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,490.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,135
2025 BLS Actual
$71,635
2026 Current Est.
$73,927
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,135 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,202 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,676 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,727 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,927 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,293 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Pleasant Prairie, WI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,135 in 2019 to $71,635 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,293. New graduates entering the Pleasant Prairie job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie
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Those looking to kickstart their careers in Pleasant Prairie should focus on employers renowned for hiring entry-level actuaries. Large life insurers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often recruit entry-level talent through robust campus connections and are known for providing structured study periods for exam preparation. Entry positions in health insurance companies also represent good opportunities, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW seek ASA-credentialed analysts who typically command higher salaries. New graduates can boost their starting actuary pay in WI by earning relevant credentials, including passing required actuarial exams and obtaining VEE credits in crucial subjects like economics and accounting. In the first few years, achieving professional credentials such as the ASA can significantly enhance salary potential; each exam passed can yield an additional $3,000 to $8,000 in base pay. Therefore, maintaining momentum through exam progression is vital, especially as firms increasingly seek candidates skilled in predictive analytics and data science, reflecting the evolving demands of the actuarial field.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pleasant Prairie 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