Los Angeles vs San Francisco: Actuary Salary (2026)
Compare actuary salaries between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $132,065 | $180,941▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $63.50 | $86.99▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,502 | $96,874▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $106,337 | $126,337▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $194,418 | $221,116▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $219,826 | $239,651▲ |
| Total Employed | 380▲ | 220 |
Verdict
San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.
The salary gap between Los Angeles and San Francisco is $48,876 (37.01%). San Francisco's median is +34.87% 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,San Francisco spans $142,777. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($156,506 effective) pays 34.58% more than Los Angeles ($116,289 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Los Angeles if…
- ✓Larger job market (380 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose San Francisco if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($180,941/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($239,651)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $156,506)
- ✓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 61.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.
Los Angeles, CA
$113,380 (2019) → $127,970 (2025)
San Francisco, CA
$108,520 (2019) → $175,330 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays actuarys more: Los Angeles or San Francisco?
What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and San Francisco?
Should I relocate from Los Angeles to San Francisco as a actuary?
What do entry-level actuarys earn in Los Angeles vs San Francisco?
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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
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