Actuary Salary in Wheaton, IL: $128,033 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Wheaton, IL earns a median $128,033/year (≈ $61.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Wheaton's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $131,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, Illinois, actuaries can expect a median annual salary of $128,033, reflecting a local market compensation that is slightly lower than the national median of $134,160. The salary range for this profession showcases considerable variability, spanning from $81,487 at the 10th percentile to $198,452 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the unique economic landscape in Wheaton, where the choice of specialty—whether in life/health/pension (SOA) or property/casualty (CAS)—can significantly influence earnings. It's evident that Wheaton's actuary job market offers multiple pathways for career progression and compensation.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,487 | $39.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,323 | $47.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,033 | $61.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,883 | $78.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,452 | $95.41 |
Median Salary Position
4.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheaton
In Wheaton, IL, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,965 (2026 est.). At $128,033, the local median is 4.57% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheaton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheaton Actuary Pay Compares
Wheaton median: $128,033/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheaton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $130,247 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -4.57% less |
Actuarys in Wheaton, IL earn a median of $128,033 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $130,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheaton 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.
Wheaton, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $128,033 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,857 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,402
2025 BLS Actual
$124,063
2026 Current Est.
$128,033
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,959 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,064 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,784 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,063 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,063 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,033 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,130 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheaton metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $103,402 (2019) to $124,063 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,130 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,728 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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) | $81,487 – $98,323 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,323 – $128,033 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,033 – $163,883 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,883 – $198,452 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Wheaton
With only 14 actuaries currently employed in the Wheaton area, the local market is relatively small, yet it reflects a promising job landscape. The cost-of-living index of 97.1 suggests that living expenses are below the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for actuaries in this city. Leading employers include well-established life and health insurance companies such as Prudential and UnitedHealth, which tend to offer competitive pay packages. The dynamic between the lower and upper salary brackets is driven by factors such as exam progression, with each passed exam adding $3,000 to $8,000 to base salaries, and differences in credentialing levels, where moving from ASA to FSA can yield significant pay increases. To maximize pay in the Wheaton market, focusing on specialty skills, pursuing consulting roles, and achieving advanced credentials can be effective strategies for actuaries aiming to enhance their career and financial standing.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 $124,063 for actuariesin the Wheaton 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 Wheaton 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