Actuary Pay

Phoenix vs San Tan Valley: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Phoenix, AZ and San Tan Valley, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Phoenix, AZ
$143,004
$68.75/hr
San Tan Valley, AZ
$132,862
$63.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhoenix, AZSan Tan Valley, AZ
Median Salary$143,004$132,862
Hourly Rate$68.75$63.88
Entry Level (P10)$92,003$78,778
25th Percentile$120,393$102,757
75th Percentile$176,451$170,063
Top Earner (P90)$208,598$205,936
Total Employed17012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Phoenix ($143,004) and San Tan Valley ($132,862) actuary salaries.PhoenixSan Tan ValleyMedian Salary$143,004$132,862Entry Level (P10)$92,003$78,778Top Earner (P90)$208,598$205,936US Median $134,160

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Tan Valley.

The salary gap between Phoenix and San Tan Valley is $10,142 (7.63%). Phoenix's median is +6.59% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Phoenix spans $116,595,San Tan Valley spans $127,158. San Tan Valley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$92,003
P25$120,393
Median$143,004
P75$176,451
P90 (Top)$208,598
San Tan Valley
P10 (Entry)$78,778
P25$102,757
Median$132,862
P75$170,063
P90 (Top)$205,936

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($138,414 effective) pays 2.62% more than San Tan Valley ($134,885 effective).

Phoenix
Nominal: $143,004
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $138,414
San Tan Valley
Nominal: $132,862
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $134,885

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,004/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($208,598)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $138,414)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose San Tan Valley if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Phoenix grew 37.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in San Tan Valley over the same period.

Phoenix, AZ

+37.0%

$101,140 (2019) → $138,570 (2025)

San Tan Valley, AZ

+13.0%

$113,887 (2024) → $128,742 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Phoenix or San Tan Valley?

Phoenix has a higher median actuary salary at $143,004/year, compared to San Tan Valley at $132,862/year — a difference of $10,142 (7.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Phoenix and San Tan Valley?

Phoenix actuarys earn $68.75/hr while San Tan Valley hygienists earn $63.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Phoenix to San Tan Valley as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Phoenix and San Tan Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Phoenix = $138,414, San Tan Valley = $134,885), job availability (170 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Phoenix vs San Tan Valley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $92,003 in Phoenix and $78,778 in San Tan Valley. The Phoenix 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