SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 15-2011 · Illinois · Updated 2026

Actuary Salary in Chicago, IL

Actuarys in Chicago, IL earn a median of $113,000/year, ranging from $87,010 (25th percentile) to $180,800 (90th percentile). After Illinois state taxes (4.95%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 107), this is equivalent to $105,607 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$113,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$87,010
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$144,640
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$180,800
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Chicago, IL

P25
P75
P25
$87,010
Median
$113,000
P75
$144,640
P90
$180,800

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$113,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$99,244
After 4.95% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$92,751
vs US average (COL index: 107)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Chicago, IL Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Chicago, IL (current)$113,000107$105,607
San Francisco, CA$154,000186$82,796
New York, NY$148,000187$79,144
Seattle, WA$150,000162$92,593
Boston, MA$136,000162$83,951
Austin, TX$123,000124$99,194

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Actuary salary in Chicago, IL?

The median Actuary salary in Chicago, IL is $113,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $87,010 and the 90th percentile is $180,800.

Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a Actuary?

Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $113,000 Actuary salary in Chicago, IL is equivalent to $105,607 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?

Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107, meaning it is 7% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Illinois is approximately 4.95%.

What is the Actuary salary range in Chicago, IL?

In Chicago, IL, Actuarys earn between $87,010 (25th percentile) and $180,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $113,000 per year.

How many Actuary jobs are there in Chicago, IL?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 28,000 Actuary positions in the Chicago, IL metropolitan area.

What do Actuarys earn in Chicago, IL?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Actuarys in Chicago, IL earn a median annual wage of $113,000. The middle 50% earn between $87,010 and $144,640. The top 10% earn more than $180,800. There are approximately 28,000 Actuarys employed in the Chicago, IL metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.1%.

Is Chicago, IL a good place for a Actuary?

Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100), making it 7% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Actuary in Chicago, IL earning $113,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $105,607 relative to the US median. Illinois has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.95%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?

Chicago, IL's cost of living index is 107, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $113,000 in Chicago, ILhas the same purchasing power as $105,607 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Chicago, IL with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.