Entry-Level Actuary Salary in West Bend, WI: $74,614 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the West Bend, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,614 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out West Bend's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,887 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,127) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial profession in West Bend, WI, can expect an entry-level salary starting around $74,614 in 2026. When considering the median annual salary for actuaries in the city, which is projected at $123,127, this represents a gap that new grads will need to bridge over their early career years. With the growth trajectory from the P10 to P25 level reaching $91,541, new entrants can anticipate growth as they gain experience and pass exams. West Bend offers a favorable market for fresh actuarial graduates, especially given the relatively stable median income compared to the national average, which sits at $134,160.
About the West Bend Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in West Bend
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 West Bend
Entry-level actuarys in West Bend, WI typically start between $74,614 and $91,541 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $116,233 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,127 — 8.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 64.33% of the starting actuary pay ($74,614/year) in West Bend. 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 West Bend
- 1Research the West Bend market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,614 to $91,541, 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 West Bend, 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 West Bend for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5West Bend'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 West Bend is $116,233 ( 155.78%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,614, experienced hygienists can earn up to $190,847.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,684
2025 BLS Actual
$72,300
2026 Current Est.
$74,614
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in West Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,684 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,761 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,033 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,365 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,614 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,001 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in West Bend, WI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,684 in 2019 to $72,300 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,001. New graduates entering the West Bend job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Bend 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 West Bend
In West Bend, several prominent employers actively seek out new actuaries, primarily large life insurers such as Prudential and Northwestern Mutual, which have established campus recruiting pipelines. Additionally, health insurance companies and consulting firms like Milliman and Aon also hire entry-level talent, often providing structured exam study time and motivation for career advancement. Candidates with a strong educational background, particularly a Bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, will find their qualifications underpinned by passing state actuarial exams crucial to enhancing their starting actuary pay in WI. Not only do completed exams yield an approximate $3,000 to $8,000 increase in base salary, but achieving an ASA credential generally elevates applicants' profiles. As new graduates navigate the first few years, focusing on credentialing through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS)—which typically takes 4-10 years—can significantly influence earnings, especially as they enter predictive analytics roles, increasingly sought after in consulting environments.
More salary data for West Bend, 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 West Bend. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Bend 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