Actuary Pay

San Francisco vs San Ramon: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$180,941
$86.99/hr
San Ramon, CA
$129,947
$62.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CASan Ramon, CA
Median Salary$180,941$129,947
Hourly Rate$86.99$62.48
Entry Level (P10)$96,874$75,686
25th Percentile$126,337$94,528
75th Percentile$221,116$166,333
Top Earner (P90)$239,651$201,419
Total Employed22019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($180,941) and San Ramon ($129,947) actuary salaries.San FranciscoSan RamonMedian Salary$180,941$129,947Entry Level (P10)$96,874$75,686Top Earner (P90)$239,651$201,419US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and San Ramon is $50,994 (39.24%). 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 Francisco spans $142,777,San Ramon spans $125,733. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$96,874
P25$126,337
Median$180,941
P75$221,116
P90 (Top)$239,651
San Ramon
P10 (Entry)$75,686
P25$94,528
Median$129,947
P75$166,333
P90 (Top)$201,419

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($156,506 effective) pays 36.22% more than San Ramon ($114,896 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $180,941
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $156,506
San Ramon
Nominal: $129,947
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $114,896

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose San Ramon if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in San Francisco grew 61.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -24.7% growth in San Ramon over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+61.6%

$108,520 (2019) → $175,330 (2025)

San Ramon, CA

+-24.7%

$167,206 (2024) → $125,918 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median actuary salary at $180,941/year, compared to San Ramon at $129,947/year — a difference of $50,994 (39.24%).

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

San Francisco actuarys earn $86.99/hr while San Ramon hygienists earn $62.48/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and San Ramon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $156,506, San Ramon = $114,896), job availability (220 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $96,874 in San Francisco and $75,686 in San Ramon. The San Francisco 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