Actuary Salary in Madison, WI: $139,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Madison, WI earns a median $139,661/year (≈ $67.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $143,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those pursuing a career in actuarial science, Madison, Wisconsin, offers a competitive salary landscape with a projected median annual salary of $139,661 for 2026. This figure indicates a 4.10% increase over the national median of $134,160, reflecting the city's strong demand for skilled actuaries. The salary range for this profession in Madison spans from $83,736 at the 10th percentile to as high as $223,459 at the 90th percentile, providing significant opportunities for financial advancement with experience and credentials. These insights are drawn from official BLS OEWS surveys, signifying a robust job market for actuaries in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,736 | $40.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,090 | $51.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,661 | $67.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,669 | $85.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,459 | $107.43 |
Median Salary Position
4.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,723 (2026 est.). At $139,661, the local median is 4.1% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Actuary Pay Compares
Madison median: $139,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $125,256 | +11.50% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +4.10% more |
Actuarys in Madison, WI earn a median of $139,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.10% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 11.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $125,256.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $139,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,556 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$109,010
2025 BLS Actual
$135,330
2026 Current Est.
$139,661
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,130 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 24.1% from $109,010 (2019) to $135,330 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,130 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,120 (32.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $83,736 – $106,090 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,090 – $139,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,661 – $177,669 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,669 – $223,459 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Madison
With 170 actuaries currently employed in Madison, the local job market remains steady and promising. The cost of living index, at 97.287, suggests that professionals in this field have a favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. Major employers such as Prudential and UnitedHealth are known to offer attractive compensation packages, with varying salaries based on specialization, from life and health insurance to consulting firms like Mercer and Aon that typically pay premiums for higher credentials. Actuary pay in Madison, WI, reflects variations tied closely to exam progressions and specialized skills, with each exam passed leading to potential pay increases of $3,000 to $8,000. Candidates should strategically pursue advanced certifications, focus on developing skills in predictive analytics, and seek employers that provide support for continued education and bonus structures for credential completion to maximize earnings effectively.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Madison, WI in 2026?
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Madison?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Madison?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Madison?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $135,330 for actuariesin the Madison metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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