Actuary Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $128,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $128,198/year (≈ $61.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $132,027 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Arlington Heights, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $128,198 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $134,160. The local salary range extends from $81,854 at the 10th percentile to $198,707 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear view of the potential earnings achievable in this profession. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, and adjusted for regional economic conditions. With 18 actuaries currently employed in this area, there is a niche market that offers opportunities for growth and advancement, especially considering the significance of exam progressions in salary increments.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,854 | $39.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,646 | $47.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,198 | $61.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,093 | $78.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,707 | $95.53 |
Median Salary Position
4.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,853 (2026 est.). At $128,198, the local median is 4.44% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Actuary Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $128,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $130,283 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -4.44% less |
Actuarys in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $128,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.44% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $130,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $128,198 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,027 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,535
2025 BLS Actual
$124,223
2026 Current Est.
$128,198
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,535 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,096 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,194 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,667 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,223 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,300 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $103,535 (2019) to $124,223 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,300 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,765 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,854 – $98,646 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,646 – $128,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,198 – $164,093 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,093 – $198,707 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Arlington Heights
The job market for actuaries in Arlington Heights offers a competitive environment, especially when factoring in the local cost of living index of 97.1, which indicates a more affordable living scenario compared to national averages. Leading employers in the area, such as Prudential and State Farm, tend to offer higher salaries, particularly in property and casualty insurance. The potential earnings for actuaries are influenced by several factors, including examination progression—where each passed exam can contribute an increase ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 to base salary—and the type of specialty pursued. For those aiming to maximize their actuary pay in Arlington Heights, focusing on obtaining the Fellowship designation (FSA/FCAS) can lead to higher compensation, particularly in consulting roles, where employers like Milliman and Mercer often provide substantial bonuses tied to credential completion.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $124,223 for actuariesin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov