Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Waukesha, WI: $81,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Waukesha, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,141 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Waukesha's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,875 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,951) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Waukesha, Wisconsin, can expect a starting salary around $81,141. While this figure represents an entry-level point, it reflects a substantial gap compared to the city's median annual salary of $137,951. Entry-level actuaries can realistically anticipate growth to approximately $100,946 after a few years of experience, moving gradually towards the median as they advance their skills and credentials. Considering the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Waukesha presents a promising market for new graduates seeking to launch their careers in this profession, especially with the potential for competitive compensation as they gain experience.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Waukesha
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 Waukesha
Entry-level actuarys in Waukesha, WI typically start between $81,141 and $100,946 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,682 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,951 — 2.83% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 59.16% of the starting actuary pay ($81,141/year) in Waukesha. 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 Waukesha
- 1Research the Waukesha market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $81,141 to $100,946, 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 Waukesha, 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 Waukesha for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Waukesha'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 Waukesha is $132,682 ( 163.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,141, experienced hygienists can earn up to $213,823.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,905
2025 BLS Actual
$78,625
2026 Current Est.
$81,141
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,905 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,076 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,433 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,487 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,738 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Waukesha, WI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,905 in 2019 to $78,625 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,738. New graduates entering the Waukesha job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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 Waukesha
In Waukesha, major employers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit fresh actuarial talent through university partnerships and structured internship programs, ensuring that new hires have solid exposure to industry standards and practices. Health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, and Aon also serve as key players in hiring entry-level actuaries. New grads holding a relevant Bachelor's degree, particularly in areas like actuarial science or mathematics, automatically qualify for higher pay rates, especially if they have passed initial actuarial exams or obtained VEE credits. As candidates progress, earning an ASA or aiming for an FSA can significantly enhance pay—each exam passed often correlates with an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. In this context, realistic salary growth for a new actuary in the first few years could see early-career professionals growing their compensation substantially as they pass exams and gain pertinent experience.
More salary data for Waukesha, 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 Waukesha. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waukesha 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