Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $74,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Wisconsin Rapids, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,394 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wisconsin Rapids's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,651 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,889) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wisconsin Rapids, individuals emerging from actuarial programs can anticipate starting salaries around $74,394 in 2026. This entry-level pay is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $114,889, highlighting a gap that illustrates the common early-career earnings in this field. However, as new graduates gain experience, their salaries typically escalate with opportunities for increases: advancing from entry-level pay to approximately $85,939 within their first few years is realistic, and reaching the median becomes achievable over a span of three to five years. Given the promising growth trajectory projected at 3.20% annually, Wisconsin Rapids presents a relatively favorable market for recent graduates looking to establish their careers in the actuarial sector.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wisconsin Rapids
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 Wisconsin Rapids
Entry-level actuarys in Wisconsin Rapids, WI typically start between $74,394 and $85,939 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $101,871 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,889 — 14.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wisconsin of $48,000 represents just 64.52% of the starting actuary pay ($74,394/year) in Wisconsin Rapids. 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 Wisconsin Rapids
- 1Research the Wisconsin Rapids market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,394 to $85,939, 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 Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wisconsin Rapids'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 Wisconsin Rapids is $101,871 ( 136.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,394, experienced hygienists can earn up to $176,265.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,508
2025 BLS Actual
$72,087
2026 Current Est.
$74,394
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,508 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,582 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,839 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,967 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,087 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,774 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Wisconsin Rapids, WI grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,508 in 2019 to $72,087 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,774. New graduates entering the Wisconsin Rapids job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids
Several key employers within Wisconsin Rapids actively recruit for entry-level actuary positions. Large life insurance firms, such as Prudential and Northwestern Mutual, and health insurers are keen on hiring new grads from actuarial programs, often providing structured study time for professional exams. Consulting companies, including Milliman and Mercer, are particularly attractive for those seeking competitive starting actuary salaries in Wisconsin, rewarding ASA-credentialed analysts significantly higher than their insurance counterparts. To enhance starting salaries, new grads should focus on obtaining a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, or related fields, and make progress in passing actuarial exams, as each successful exam can boost base salaries by $3,000 to $8,000. In the first three years, consistent efforts toward certification and acquiring additional skills, especially in predictive analytics and data science, can lead to substantial salary advancements and better professional opportunities.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wisconsin Rapids 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