Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Wausau, WI: $71,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Wausau, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,305 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wausau's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,344 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($121,833) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates stepping into the actuarial field in Wausau, Wisconsin, the starting actuation salary reflects practical expectations. In 2026, an entry-level actuary can anticipate a salary starting at $71,305, which is significantly below the city’s median of $121,833. This creates an initial gap that may seem daunting, but it’s beneficial to view it within a broader financial trajectory: as professionals gain experience, salaries typically rise, with the 25th percentile earning around $96,422 after a few years on the job. With a steady growth rate projected at 3.20% annually, Wausau presents a viable market for new grads eager to kickstart their careers in actuarial science, particularly if they engage with local employers and leverage entry-level opportunities.
About the Wausau Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wausau
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 Wausau
Entry-level actuarys in Wausau, WI typically start between $71,305 and $96,422 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $117,536 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $121,833 — 9.19% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 67.32% of the starting actuary pay ($71,305/year) in Wausau. 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 Wausau
- 1Research the Wausau market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $71,305 to $96,422, 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 Wausau, 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 Wausau for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wausau'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 Wausau is $117,536 ( 164.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,305, experienced hygienists can earn up to $188,841.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,038
2025 BLS Actual
$69,094
2026 Current Est.
$71,305
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,038 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,066 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,105 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,289 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,258 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,094 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,587 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Wausau, WI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,038 in 2019 to $69,094 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,587. New graduates entering the Wausau job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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 Wausau
Various employers in Wausau are actively seeking new talent, especially from institutions with strong actuarial programs. Major life insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often recruit actuaries through campus connections, offering pathways to structured study time for actuarial exams. Health insurance companies also hire entry-level professionals, providing an excellent launchpad for recent graduates. To elevate starting actuary pay in WI, credentials such as a bachelor's in math or actuarial science, successful completion of required actuarial exams through the SOA or CAS, and VEE credits can be pivotal. In the early years of one's career, passing exams can prove lucrative; each exam passed can add approximately $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary. Furthermore, those looking to specialize should consider pursuing fellowship status through the ASA-to-FSA path, as consulting firms often compensate FSAs and FCAS better than their insurer counterparts, with rising demand for predictive analytics skills shaping the market.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 Wausau. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wausau 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