Actuary Pay

Carson vs Los Angeles: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Carson, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carson, CA
$127,495
$61.30/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$132,065
$63.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarson, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$127,495$132,065
Hourly Rate$61.30$63.50
Entry Level (P10)$80,573$86,502
25th Percentile$97,481$106,337
75th Percentile$163,194$194,418
Top Earner (P90)$197,618$219,826
Total Employed21380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carson ($127,495) and Los Angeles ($132,065) actuary salaries.CarsonLos AngelesMedian Salary$127,495$132,065Entry Level (P10)$80,573$86,502Top Earner (P90)$197,618$219,826US Median $134,160

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carson.

The salary gap between Carson and Los Angeles is $4,570 (3.58%). Los Angeles's median is -1.56% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carson spans $117,045,Los Angeles spans $133,324. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Carson
P10 (Entry)$80,573
P25$97,481
Median$127,495
P75$163,194
P90 (Top)$197,618
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$86,502
P25$106,337
Median$132,065
P75$194,418
P90 (Top)$219,826

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($116,289 effective) pays 3.16% more than Carson ($112,728 effective).

Carson
Nominal: $127,495
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $112,728
Los Angeles
Nominal: $132,065
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $116,289

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carson if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,065/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,826)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,289)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Carson grew -24.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.9% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Carson, CA

+-24.7%

$164,050 (2024) → $123,542 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+12.9%

$113,380 (2019) → $127,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Carson or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median actuary salary at $132,065/year, compared to Carson at $127,495/year — a difference of $4,570 (3.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carson and Los Angeles?

Carson actuarys earn $61.30/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $63.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carson to Los Angeles as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carson and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carson = $112,728, Los Angeles = $116,289), job availability (21 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Carson vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $80,573 in Carson and $86,502 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov