Actuary.
Madison.
$121,000
median salary, 1% below the national average
$91,000 to $160,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
A Actuary in Madison earns a median of $121,000 in 2026. That is 1% below the national average. The range runs from $91,000 to $160,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Exam progress is the single most predictive salary factor for actuaries.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $109,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$79,000
to $97,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$103,000
to $127,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$133,000
to $157,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$151,000
to $188,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $33,000 to the total package.
Base
$121,000
Equity
$19,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $154,000
How Madison compares
Madison, WI
$121,000
Cost of living: 5% below average
National Average
$122,000
Madison is $1,000 below
Actuary salary by city
Salary by role in Madison
What you should know
Here is what the Actuary market actually looks like in Madison. Madison is a growing tech hub anchored by the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, one of the largest health IT companies. The city consistently ranks among the best places to live and has a thriving startup ecosystem. Salaries are competitive relative to the modest cost of living. Exam progress is the single most predictive salary factor for actuaries. Each passed SOA or CAS exam adds approximately $5,000 to $15,000 in base salary. Fully credentialed fellows earn 40 to 60% more than entry-level associates. Consulting actuaries typically earn more than insurance company actuaries at equivalent experience levels.
Entry-level actuarial analysts with zero to two exams earn $65,000 to $85,000. Associates (ASA) earn $90,000 to $120,000. Fellows (FSA/FCAS) reach $130,000 to $180,000. Chief actuaries and actuarial directors earn $175,000 to $280,000. Consulting principals can exceed $350,000. In Madison, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Exam bonuses of $2,000 to $5,000 per passed exam are standard, plus paid study time (typically 100 to 200 hours). Annual bonuses of 10 to 20% are common. Consulting firms offer higher variable pay. Many employers cover exam fees, study materials, and raise base salary with each credential milestone. And on the tax side: wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65%. Madison has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by the affordable cost of living and strong employer base. When someone quotes you $121,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Epic Systems compensation benchmarks. Epic sets the salary standard for tech in Madison and most employers in the area compete against their packages. The range for Actuarys in Madison runs from $91,000 to $160,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Market Intelligence Analyst in Madison earns $122,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Madison is Distinguished Engineer at $307,000
Common questions.
Actuary salary in other cities
Other salaries in Madison
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.