Actuary Salary in DeKalb, IL: $125,355 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in DeKalb, IL earns a median $125,355/year (≈ $60.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $129,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, Illinois, actuaries can expect to earn a median annual salary of $125,355, which is slightly below the national median of $134,160. The full range of compensation stretches from $82,101 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $194,300 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive salary market in this region. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and take into account local cost adjustments. With only nine actuaries employed in the area, the job market demonstrates both limited competition and specialized opportunities, particularly for those pursuing professional certification through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), making it an appealing place for career growth.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,101 | $39.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,633 | $46.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,355 | $60.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,705 | $76.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,300 | $93.42 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,199 (2026 est.). At $125,355, the local median is 6.56% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeKalb Actuary Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $125,355/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $130,307 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -6.56% less |
Actuarys in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $125,355 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $130,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb 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.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $125,355 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,099 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,239
2025 BLS Actual
$121,468
2026 Current Est.
$125,355
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,239 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,509 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,124 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,468 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,468 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,355 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,366 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,239 (2019) to $121,468 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,366 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,127 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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) | $82,101 – $97,633 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,633 – $125,355 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,355 – $158,705 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,705 – $194,300 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in DeKalb
The cost of living in DeKalb is represented by an index of 97.1, indicating that expenses are below the national average, which benefits local actuaries by increasing their purchasing power. While there are multiple employers in the region, companies focused on property & casualty insurance, health insurance, and consulting typically offer higher salaries. Engaging with employers like UnitedHealth or Mercer can yield better pay, especially for those with advanced credentials such as FSA or FCAS. The differences between lower and higher salaries often hinge on exam progression, where each passed exam can incrementally raise base salaries. Actuaries that focus on developing predictive analytics skills will find greater opportunities in consulting roles and should take advantage of study time benefit packages that enhance their earning potential. Maximizing opportunities in DeKalb requires proactive career development and strategic employer engagement.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 $121,468 for actuariesin the DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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