Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $84,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Milwaukee, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,376 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Milwaukee's local price level (BEA RPP 96.9 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,042 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,234) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those entering the actuarial field in Milwaukee, WI are expected to earn a starting salary around $84,376. This figure represents the lower end of the entry-level spectrum for actuaries and is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $136,234. As new graduates embark on their careers, there is potential for growth; with experience and continued education, which can help them move towards the P25 salary of $98,680 within a few years. Milwaukee is currently a favorable location for new grads, as it offers a reasonable cost of living index of 96.937, making it a viable market for young professionals starting their careers in the actuarial profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee
Entry-level actuarys in Milwaukee, WI typically start between $84,376 and $98,680 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $126,967 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,234 — 1.55% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 56.89% of the starting actuary pay ($84,376/year) in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee
- 1Research the Milwaukee market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $84,376 to $98,680, 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 Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Milwaukee's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Milwaukee is $126,967 ( 150.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,376, experienced hygienists can earn up to $211,343.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,340
2025 BLS Actual
$81,760
2026 Current Est.
$84,376
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,076 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Milwaukee, WI grew 11.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $73,340 in 2019 to $81,760 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,076. New graduates entering the Milwaukee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, a number of prominent employers actively seek to hire new actuaries, particularly large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often recruit straight from campus and offer structured exam study time. Health insurers also hire entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW typically look for those with an Associate (ASA) credential. The starting actuary salary in Milwaukee can increase significantly with passing actuarial exams; each exam generally elevates base pay by $3,000 to $8,000. Holding a bachelor’s degree in fields like actuarial science or mathematics, and gaining VEE credits in relevant subjects can provide a competitive edge. With a clear focus on exam progression and skills in predictive analytics and data science increasingly in demand, aspiring actuaries can expect reasonable growth in entry-level pay as they advance their credentials over the first three years.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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