Actuary Pay

Chicago vs Orland Park: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Chicago, IL
$117,369
$56.43/hr
Orland Park, IL
$132,088
$63.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILOrland Park, IL
Median Salary$117,369$132,088
Hourly Rate$56.43$63.50
Entry Level (P10)$82,188$80,144
25th Percentile$99,041$98,494
75th Percentile$168,928$169,073
Top Earner (P90)$215,956$204,736
Total Employed1,5609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($117,369) and Orland Park ($132,088) actuary salaries.ChicagoOrland ParkMedian Salary$117,369$132,088Entry Level (P10)$82,188$80,144Top Earner (P90)$215,956$204,736US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chicago and Orland Park is $14,719 (12.54%). Orland Park's median is -1.54% 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,Orland Park spans $124,592. 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
Orland Park
P10 (Entry)$80,144
P25$98,494
Median$132,088
P75$169,073
P90 (Top)$204,736

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orland Park ($136,033 effective) pays 20.07% more than Chicago ($113,296 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $117,369
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $113,296
Orland Park
Nominal: $132,088
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $136,033

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 Orland Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,088/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,033)
  • 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 Orland Park over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+10.7%

$102,700 (2019) → $113,730 (2025)

Orland Park, IL

+0.0%

$127,992 (2024) → $127,992 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Chicago or Orland Park?

Orland Park has a higher median actuary salary at $132,088/year, compared to Chicago at $117,369/year — a difference of $14,719 (12.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Orland Park?

Chicago actuarys earn $56.43/hr while Orland Park hygienists earn $63.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Orland Park as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Orland Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $113,296, Orland Park = $136,033), job availability (1,560 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Chicago vs Orland Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $82,188 in Chicago and $80,144 in Orland Park. 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