Actuary Pay

Gurnee vs Rockford: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Gurnee, IL
$128,378
$61.72/hr
Rockford, IL
$129,209
$62.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGurnee, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$128,378$129,209
Hourly Rate$61.72$62.12
Entry Level (P10)$78,558$78,321
25th Percentile$95,908$96,602
75th Percentile$163,394$165,388
Top Earner (P90)$198,985$200,275
Total Employed834
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gurnee ($128,378) and Rockford ($129,209) actuary salaries.GurneeRockfordMedian Salary$128,378$129,209Entry Level (P10)$78,558$78,321Top Earner (P90)$198,985$200,275US Median $134,160

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gurnee.

The salary gap between Gurnee and Rockford is $831 (0.65%). Rockford's median is -3.69% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gurnee spans $120,427,Rockford spans $121,954. Rockford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Gurnee
P10 (Entry)$78,558
P25$95,908
Median$128,378
P75$163,394
P90 (Top)$198,985
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$78,321
P25$96,602
Median$129,209
P75$165,388
P90 (Top)$200,275

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($133,068 effective) pays 0.65% more than Gurnee ($132,212 effective).

Gurnee
Nominal: $128,378
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $132,212
Rockford
Nominal: $129,209
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $133,068

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gurnee if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,209/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($200,275)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,068)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Gurnee, IL

+0.0%

$124,397 (2024) → $124,397 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+0.0%

$125,203 (2024) → $125,203 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Gurnee or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median actuary salary at $129,209/year, compared to Gurnee at $128,378/year — a difference of $831 (0.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gurnee and Rockford?

Gurnee actuarys earn $61.72/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $62.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gurnee to Rockford as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gurnee and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gurnee = $132,212, Rockford = $133,068), job availability (8 vs 34 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Gurnee vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $78,558 in Gurnee and $78,321 in Rockford. The Gurnee 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