Actuary Pay

San Francisco vs Vallejo: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$180,941
$86.99/hr
Vallejo, CA
$128,767
$61.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$180,941$128,767
Hourly Rate$86.99$61.91
Entry Level (P10)$96,874$77,778
25th Percentile$126,337$93,175
75th Percentile$221,116$164,822
Top Earner (P90)$239,651$199,589
Total Employed22026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($180,941) and Vallejo ($128,767) actuary salaries.San FranciscoVallejoMedian Salary$180,941$128,767Entry Level (P10)$96,874$77,778Top Earner (P90)$239,651$199,589US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Vallejo is $52,174 (40.52%). 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,Vallejo spans $121,811. 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
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$77,778
P25$93,175
Median$128,767
P75$164,822
P90 (Top)$199,589

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($156,506 effective) pays 37.46% more than Vallejo ($113,852 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $180,941
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $156,506
Vallejo
Nominal: $128,767
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,852

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 Vallejo 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 Vallejo over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+61.6%

$108,520 (2019) → $175,330 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+-24.7%

$165,687 (2024) → $124,774 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: San Francisco or Vallejo?

San Francisco has a higher median actuary salary at $180,941/year, compared to Vallejo at $128,767/year — a difference of $52,174 (40.52%).

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

San Francisco actuarys earn $86.99/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $61.91/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $156,506, Vallejo = $113,852), job availability (220 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $96,874 in San Francisco and $77,778 in Vallejo. The San Francisco 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