Actuary Pay

Moreno Valley vs San Jose: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Moreno Valley, CA and San Jose, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moreno Valley, CA
$131,295
$63.13/hr
San Jose, CA
$135,233
$65.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoreno Valley, CASan Jose, CA
Median Salary$131,295$135,233
Hourly Rate$63.13$65.02
Entry Level (P10)$77,007$89,443
25th Percentile$96,417$104,975
75th Percentile$168,058$224,924
Top Earner (P90)$203,507$268,165
Total Employed53120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moreno Valley ($131,295) and San Jose ($135,233) actuary salaries.Moreno ValleySan JoseMedian Salary$131,295$135,233Entry Level (P10)$77,007$89,443Top Earner (P90)$203,507$268,165US Median $134,160

Verdict

San Jose, CA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Moreno Valley.

The salary gap between Moreno Valley and San Jose is $3,938 (3.00%). San Jose's median is +0.80% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moreno Valley spans $126,500,San Jose spans $178,722. San Jose has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Moreno Valley
P10 (Entry)$77,007
P25$96,417
Median$131,295
P75$168,058
P90 (Top)$203,507
San Jose
P10 (Entry)$89,443
P25$104,975
Median$135,233
P75$224,924
P90 (Top)$268,165

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Jose ($122,468 effective) pays 5.50% more than Moreno Valley ($116,088 effective).

Moreno Valley
Nominal: $131,295
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $116,088
San Jose
Nominal: $135,233
CoL Index: 110.423
Adjusted: $122,468

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moreno Valley if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Jose if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,233/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($268,165)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,468)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Moreno Valley grew -24.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.2% growth in San Jose over the same period.

Moreno Valley, CA

+-24.7%

$168,941 (2024) → $127,224 (2025)

San Jose, CA

+14.2%

$114,700 (2020) → $131,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Moreno Valley or San Jose?

San Jose has a higher median actuary salary at $135,233/year, compared to Moreno Valley at $131,295/year — a difference of $3,938 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moreno Valley and San Jose?

Moreno Valley actuarys earn $63.13/hr while San Jose hygienists earn $65.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moreno Valley to San Jose as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moreno Valley and San Jose. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moreno Valley = $116,088, San Jose = $122,468), job availability (53 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Moreno Valley vs San Jose?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $77,007 in Moreno Valley and $89,443 in San Jose. The San Jose 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