Actuary Pay

Chicago vs Lombard: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Chicago, IL
$117,369
$56.43/hr
Lombard, IL
$126,225
$60.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILLombard, IL
Median Salary$117,369$126,225
Hourly Rate$56.43$60.68
Entry Level (P10)$82,188$73,693
25th Percentile$99,041$99,369
75th Percentile$168,928$161,568
Top Earner (P90)$215,956$195,649
Total Employed1,5608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($117,369) and Lombard ($126,225) actuary salaries.ChicagoLombardMedian Salary$117,369$126,225Entry Level (P10)$82,188$73,693Top Earner (P90)$215,956$195,649US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chicago and Lombard is $8,856 (7.55%). Lombard's median is -5.91% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $133,768,Lombard spans $121,956. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$82,188
P25$99,041
Median$117,369
P75$168,928
P90 (Top)$215,956
Lombard
P10 (Entry)$73,693
P25$99,369
Median$126,225
P75$161,568
P90 (Top)$195,649

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lombard ($129,995 effective) pays 14.74% more than Chicago ($113,296 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $117,369
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $113,296
Lombard
Nominal: $126,225
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $129,995

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

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

Choose Lombard if…

  • Higher median salary ($126,225/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,995)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Chicago grew 10.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.0% growth in Lombard over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+10.7%

$102,700 (2019) → $113,730 (2025)

Lombard, IL

+0.0%

$122,311 (2024) → $122,311 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Chicago or Lombard?

Lombard has a higher median actuary salary at $126,225/year, compared to Chicago at $117,369/year — a difference of $8,856 (7.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Lombard?

Chicago actuarys earn $56.43/hr while Lombard hygienists earn $60.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Lombard as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Lombard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $113,296, Lombard = $129,995), job availability (1,560 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $82,188 in Chicago and $73,693 in Lombard. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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