Actuary Pay

Los Angeles vs Stockton: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$132,065
$63.50/hr
Stockton, CA
$133,877
$64.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAStockton, CA
Median Salary$132,065$133,877
Hourly Rate$63.50$64.37
Entry Level (P10)$86,502$77,649
25th Percentile$106,337$96,392
75th Percentile$194,418$171,363
Top Earner (P90)$219,826$207,509
Total Employed38071
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($132,065) and Stockton ($133,877) actuary salaries.Los AngelesStocktonMedian Salary$132,065$133,877Entry Level (P10)$86,502$77,649Top Earner (P90)$219,826$207,509US Median $134,160

Verdict

Los Angeles and Stockton are closely matched on overall actuary compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Stockton is $1,812 (1.37%). Stockton's median is -0.21% 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,Stockton spans $129,860. 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
Stockton
P10 (Entry)$77,649
P25$96,392
Median$133,877
P75$171,363
P90 (Top)$207,509

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stockton ($118,370 effective) pays 1.79% more than Los Angeles ($116,289 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $132,065
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $116,289
Stockton
Nominal: $133,877
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $118,370

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($219,826)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Stockton if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,877/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,370)
  • 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 Stockton over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+12.9%

$113,380 (2019) → $127,970 (2025)

Stockton, CA

+-24.7%

$172,263 (2024) → $129,726 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Los Angeles or Stockton?

Stockton has a higher median actuary salary at $133,877/year, compared to Los Angeles at $132,065/year — a difference of $1,812 (1.37%).

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

Los Angeles actuarys earn $63.50/hr while Stockton hygienists earn $64.37/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Stockton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $116,289, Stockton = $118,370), job availability (380 vs 71 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $86,502 in Los Angeles and $77,649 in Stockton. 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