SOC 15-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Actuaries — Illinois
Illinois · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Illinois is $115,430 a year, trailing the national median of $130,000 by 11.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Illinois is $115,430 a year, trailing the national median of $130,000 by 11.2%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $95,940 and $158,540. The lowest tenth earn under $77,790, while the highest tenth earn more than $202,160.
The area has 2,280 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Illinois ranks number 26th out of 36 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Springfield records the highest median at $117,590. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 77th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $77,790 | −40.2% |
| 25th | $95,940 | −26.2% |
| Median (50th) | $115,430 | −11.2% |
| 75th | $158,540 | +22.0% |
| 90th | $202,160 | +55.5% |
| Mean | $129,580 | −0.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield | $117,590 | 30 | |
| 2 | Chicago | $113,730 | 1,560 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Illinois sit close to the national average, so $115,430 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$115,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$115,430US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $115,430 a year, 11.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $77,790 to $202,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,280 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 26th of 36 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Springfield, at $117,590.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Actuaries in Illinois?
The median annual wage is $115,430, or $55.50 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $130,000, so pay in Illinois is 11.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Illinois earns more than $202,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $77,790 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Springfield, at $117,590 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,280 jobs in this occupation in Illinois. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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