Actuary Salary in Urbana, IL: $125,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Urbana, IL earns a median $125,901/year (≈ $60.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $129,661 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbana, Illinois, actuaries are projected to earn a median annual salary of $125,901 in 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $134,160. The salary range for this profession extends from $83,356 at the 10th percentile to $195,146 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities within the local job market. Figures derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variances, point to a competitive pay dynamic influenced by the interplay between consulting firms and insurance companies. While consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW tend to offer higher compensation packages for credentialed professionals, local insurers may provide robust salaries driven by the specific demands of their business.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,356 | $40.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,721 | $47.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,901 | $60.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,153 | $77.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,146 | $93.82 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,790 (2026 est.). At $125,901, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Actuary Pay Compares
Urbana median: $125,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $130,332 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -6.16% less |
Actuarys in Urbana, IL earn a median of $125,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.40% below the Illinois state average of $130,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana 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.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $125,901 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,661 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,680
2025 BLS Actual
$121,997
2026 Current Est.
$125,901
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,381 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,613 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,680 (2019) to $121,997 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,250 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $83,356 – $98,721 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,721 – $125,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,901 – $161,153 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,153 – $195,146 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Urbana
Urbana's job market hosts a modest cohort of only six actuaries, signaling both a niche profession and a potential talent shortage. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the financial landscape offers favorable conditions for take-home purchasing power. Many actuaries in Urbana may find that employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and State Farm offer competitive compensation aligned with industry standards. The variation in pay often hinges on the level of credentialing and specialization; those who attain their Fellow status generally see significant salary boosts. Strategies to maximize compensation in Urbana include pursuing advanced credentials, focusing on high-demand areas like predictive analytics, and seeking positions at leading consulting firms, which tend to reward FSAs and FCAS with superior pay scales.
More salary data for Urbana, 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 $121,997 for actuariesin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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