Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$113,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$105,607 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$92,751 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $154,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $118,580▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $197,120▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $246,400▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,607▲ | $82,796 | +$22,811 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $99,244 | $129,062▲ | -$29,818 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,751▲ | $69,388 | +$23,363 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 41,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $41,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($105,607 vs $82,796 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.