Actuary Pay

San Buenaventura vs San Francisco: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between San Buenaventura, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Buenaventura, CA
$131,384
$63.17/hr
San Francisco, CA
$180,941
$86.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Buenaventura, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$131,384$180,941
Hourly Rate$63.17$86.99
Entry Level (P10)$82,936$96,874
25th Percentile$101,026$126,337
75th Percentile$168,172$221,116
Top Earner (P90)$203,646$239,651
Total Employed19220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Buenaventura ($131,384) and San Francisco ($180,941) actuary salaries.San BuenaventuraSan FranciscoMedian Salary$131,384$180,941Entry Level (P10)$82,936$96,874Top Earner (P90)$203,646$239,651US Median $134,160

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Buenaventura.

The salary gap between San Buenaventura and San Francisco is $49,557 (37.72%). 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 San Buenaventura spans $120,710,San Francisco spans $142,777. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

San Buenaventura
P10 (Entry)$82,936
P25$101,026
Median$131,384
P75$168,172
P90 (Top)$203,646
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$96,874
P25$126,337
Median$180,941
P75$221,116
P90 (Top)$239,651

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($156,506 effective) pays 34.73% more than San Buenaventura ($116,166 effective).

San Buenaventura
Nominal: $131,384
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $116,166
San Francisco
Nominal: $180,941
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $156,506

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Buenaventura if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($180,941/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($239,651)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • 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 San Buenaventura grew -24.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 61.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

San Buenaventura, CA

+-24.7%

$169,055 (2024) → $127,310 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+61.6%

$108,520 (2019) → $175,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: San Buenaventura or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median actuary salary at $180,941/year, compared to San Buenaventura at $131,384/year — a difference of $49,557 (37.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Buenaventura and San Francisco?

San Buenaventura actuarys earn $63.17/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $86.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Buenaventura to San Francisco as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Buenaventura and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Buenaventura = $116,166, San Francisco = $156,506), job availability (19 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in San Buenaventura vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $82,936 in San Buenaventura and $96,874 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

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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