Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Davis, CA: $76,937 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Davis, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,937 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davis's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,026 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($125,898) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Davis, California, new graduates entering the actuarial field can expect a starting salary around $76,937 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the pay spectrum for entry-level actuaries, which demonstrates a significant gap compared to the city’s median salary of $125,898. Over the first three to five years in the profession, actuaries typically experience salary growth, moving from this initial salary toward the first quartile figure of $94,386, with the potential to reach the median as they gain experience and accumulate certifications. Given the local demand for actuarial talent and the projection for annual growth at 3.20%, this market presents a reasonable opportunity for new grads looking to establish their careers in the profession.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davis
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
Entry-level actuarys in Davis, CA typically start between $76,937 and $94,386 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,205 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $125,898 — 6.16% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in California of $82,000 represents just 106.58% of the starting actuary pay ($76,937/year) in Davis. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Davis
- 1Research the Davis market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,937 to $94,386, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Davis, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Davis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Davis's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Davis is $118,205 ( 153.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,937, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,142.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,542
2025 BLS Actual
$74,551
2026 Current Est.
$76,937
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,542 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,652 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,024 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,089 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,524 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,551 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,937 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,399 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Davis, CA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,542 in 2019 to $74,551 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,399. New graduates entering the Davis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Davis
Employers in the Davis area that frequently seek entry-level actuaries include large life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, as well as health insurers like Northwestern Mutual. These firms often have structured recruitment pipelines and provide dedicated exam study time for their new hires, making them ideal places for recent grads to start. Educational credentials play an essential role in influencing starting pay; a bachelor’s degree in fields like mathematics or actuarial science is typically expected. Additionally, new hires with passed actuarial exams through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) can command higher salaries. In the early years of an actuarial career, progressing through exams is critical; each passed exam can increase base salary by $3,000 to $8,000. For those aiming for consulting roles at firms like Milliman or Mercer, obtaining an Associate (ASA) designation is often advantageous, as these companies tend to offer higher initial pay to credentialed analysts, setting up a solid foundation for career growth within the actuarial space in Davis, CA.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Davis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Davis is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov