Actuary Pay

Addison vs Chicago: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Addison, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Addison, IL
$128,782
$61.91/hr
Chicago, IL
$117,369
$56.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAddison, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$128,782$117,369
Hourly Rate$61.91$56.43
Entry Level (P10)$79,485$82,188
25th Percentile$96,712$99,041
75th Percentile$164,841$168,928
Top Earner (P90)$199,613$215,956
Total Employed61,560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Addison ($128,782) and Chicago ($117,369) actuary salaries.AddisonChicagoMedian Salary$128,782$117,369Entry Level (P10)$79,485$82,188Top Earner (P90)$199,613$215,956US Median $134,160

Verdict

Addison and Chicago are closely matched on overall actuary compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Addison and Chicago is $11,413 (9.72%). Addison's median is -4.01% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Addison spans $120,128,Chicago spans $133,768. Chicago has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Addison
P10 (Entry)$79,485
P25$96,712
Median$128,782
P75$164,841
P90 (Top)$199,613
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$82,188
P25$99,041
Median$117,369
P75$168,928
P90 (Top)$215,956

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Addison ($132,628 effective) pays 17.06% more than Chicago ($113,296 effective).

Addison
Nominal: $128,782
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $132,628
Chicago
Nominal: $117,369
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $113,296

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Addison if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,782/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,628)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($215,956)
  • Larger job market (1,560 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Addison grew 0.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.7% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Addison, IL

+0.0%

$124,789 (2024) → $124,789 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+10.7%

$102,700 (2019) → $113,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Addison or Chicago?

Addison has a higher median actuary salary at $128,782/year, compared to Chicago at $117,369/year — a difference of $11,413 (9.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Addison and Chicago?

Addison actuarys earn $61.91/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $56.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Addison to Chicago as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Addison and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Addison = $132,628, Chicago = $113,296), job availability (6 vs 1,560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Addison vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $79,485 in Addison and $82,188 in Chicago. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov