Actuary Salary in Rockford, IL: $129,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Rockford, IL earns a median $129,209/year (≈ $62.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $133,068 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Rockford, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for actuaries in 2026 is estimated at $129,209, slightly below the national average of $134,160. Salary ranges for actuaries in the area vary widely, with entry-level positions starting around $78,321 and seasoned professionals earning as much as $200,275. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these figures reflect local market conditions and adjustments for regional cost variations. Rockford's actuarial market exhibits a notable pay gradient, particularly between positions with consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer compared to those at traditional insurance companies, which can influence overall compensation trajectories significantly.
About the Rockford Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,321 | $37.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,602 | $46.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,209 | $62.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,388 | $79.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,275 | $96.29 |
Median Salary Position
3.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,954 (2026 est.). At $129,209, the local median is 3.69% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Actuary Pay Compares
Rockford median: $129,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $130,252 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -3.69% less |
Actuarys in Rockford, IL earn a median of $129,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.80% below the Illinois state average of $130,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford 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.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $129,209 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,068 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,352
2025 BLS Actual
$125,203
2026 Current Est.
$129,209
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,933 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,992 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,784 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,572 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,203 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,344 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $104,352 (2019) to $125,203 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,344 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,992 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $78,321 – $96,602 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,602 – $129,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,209 – $165,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,388 – $200,275 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Rockford
The local job market for actuaries in Rockford currently supports about 34 employed professionals, highlighting a relatively stable sector. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, actuaries may find their take-home purchasing power enhanced compared to the national average. In this region, the highest salaries are typically offered by life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, as well as by consulting giants such as Aon and WTW. Pay disparities arise largely from factors such as exam progression, where each exam passed can lead to increases in base compensation. Moreover, actuaries specializing in property and casualty insurance or working within consulting environments generally receive higher compensation than those in life insurance or pension roles. To maximize pay in Rockford, actuaries should consider pursuing Fellowships and building expertise in predictive analytics while continuously advancing their exam credentials.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $125,203 for actuariesin the Rockford 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 Rockford 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