Actuary Pay

Carpentersville vs Chicago: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Carpentersville, IL
$127,024
$61.07/hr
Chicago, IL
$117,369
$56.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarpentersville, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$127,024$117,369
Hourly Rate$61.07$56.43
Entry Level (P10)$82,138$82,188
25th Percentile$98,152$99,041
75th Percentile$162,591$168,928
Top Earner (P90)$196,887$215,956
Total Employed81,560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carpentersville ($127,024) and Chicago ($117,369) actuary salaries.CarpentersvilleChicagoMedian Salary$127,024$117,369Entry Level (P10)$82,138$82,188Top Earner (P90)$196,887$215,956US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Carpentersville and Chicago is $9,655 (8.23%). Carpentersville's median is -5.32% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carpentersville spans $114,749,Chicago spans $133,768. Chicago has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Carpentersville
P10 (Entry)$82,138
P25$98,152
Median$127,024
P75$162,591
P90 (Top)$196,887
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, Carpentersville ($130,818 effective) pays 15.47% more than Chicago ($113,296 effective).

Carpentersville
Nominal: $127,024
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $130,818
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 Carpentersville if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,024/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $130,818)
  • 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 Carpentersville grew 0.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.7% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Carpentersville, IL

+0.0%

$123,085 (2024) → $123,085 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+10.7%

$102,700 (2019) → $113,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Carpentersville or Chicago?

Carpentersville has a higher median actuary salary at $127,024/year, compared to Chicago at $117,369/year — a difference of $9,655 (8.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carpentersville and Chicago?

Carpentersville actuarys earn $61.07/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $56.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carpentersville to Chicago as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carpentersville and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carpentersville = $130,818, Chicago = $113,296), job availability (8 vs 1,560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $82,138 in Carpentersville 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