Actuary Pay

Los Angeles vs Redding: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$132,065
$63.50/hr
Redding, CA
$128,278
$61.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARedding, CA
Median Salary$132,065$128,278
Hourly Rate$63.50$61.67
Entry Level (P10)$86,502$78,571
25th Percentile$106,337$96,207
75th Percentile$194,418$164,195
Top Earner (P90)$219,826$198,830
Total Employed38013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($132,065) and Redding ($128,278) actuary salaries.Los AngelesReddingMedian Salary$132,065$128,278Entry Level (P10)$86,502$78,571Top Earner (P90)$219,826$198,830US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Redding is $3,787 (2.95%). 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 Los Angeles spans $133,324,Redding spans $120,259. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$86,502
P25$106,337
Median$132,065
P75$194,418
P90 (Top)$219,826
Redding
P10 (Entry)$78,571
P25$96,207
Median$128,278
P75$164,195
P90 (Top)$198,830

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($116,289 effective) pays 2.53% more than Redding ($113,420 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $132,065
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $116,289
Redding
Nominal: $128,278
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,420

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Redding if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Los Angeles grew 12.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -24.7% growth in Redding over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+12.9%

$113,380 (2019) → $127,970 (2025)

Redding, CA

+-24.7%

$165,058 (2024) → $124,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Los Angeles or Redding?

Los Angeles has a higher median actuary salary at $132,065/year, compared to Redding at $128,278/year — a difference of $3,787 (2.95%).

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

Los Angeles actuarys earn $63.50/hr while Redding hygienists earn $61.67/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Redding. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $116,289, Redding = $113,420), job availability (380 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $86,502 in Los Angeles and $78,571 in Redding. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

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