Actuary Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $125,938 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $125,938/year (≈ $60.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $129,699 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, Illinois, actuaries can expect to earn a median annual salary of $125,938 in 2026, which reflects a competitive market position, albeit slightly below the national median of $134,160. Salaries in this field vary significantly, with the lower 10% making approximately $76,881 and the upper 90% reaching up to $195,204. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, highlighting a burgeoning demand within this financial sector. The job market for actuaries in Des Plaines indicates a healthy progression, as each passed exam and advanced credential boosts earnings, emphasizing the importance of continual professional development in maximizing potential salary.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,881 | $36.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,502 | $43.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,938 | $60.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,200 | $77.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,204 | $93.85 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,323 (2026 est.). At $125,938, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Actuary Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $125,938/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $130,236 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -6.13% less |
Actuarys in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $125,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $130,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $125,938 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,699 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$101,710
2025 BLS Actual
$122,033
2026 Current Est.
$125,938
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,226 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,646 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,033 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,938 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,710 (2019) to $122,033 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,258 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $76,881 – $91,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,502 – $125,938 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,938 – $161,200 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,200 – $195,204 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Des Plaines
The actuarial profession within Des Plaines features a local workforce of 12 actuaries, contributing to a concentrated yet vibrant job market. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is slightly lower than the national average, actuaries here experience different purchasing power dynamics compared to their peers nationwide. Major employers, including life insurance giants like Prudential and MetLife, along with health insurance firms such as UnitedHealth and Cigna, offer competitive salaries that often exceed the locality's median, particularly for those with advanced qualifications. The disparity in pay is primarily influenced by exam progression—each passing exam can translate to a salary increase of $3,000 to $8,000—and credential levels, with FSA and FCAS holders earning significantly more than those with ASA or ACAS designations. For aspiring actuaries in Des Plaines, focusing on obtaining higher-level certifications and developing specialized skills in predictive analytics can substantially elevate earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Des Plaines, IL in 2026?
Is Des Plaines, IL a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Des Plaines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Des Plaines?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Des Plaines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $122,033 for actuariesin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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