Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Upland, CA: $76,348 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Upland, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,348 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Upland's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,505 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($125,805) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, newly graduated actuaries in Upland, California, can expect an entry-level salary starting at about $76,348. This amount is notably lower than the city’s median actuary salary of $125,805, indicating a significant gap of almost $49,457 for those in the early stages of their careers. However, there is potential for growth; new actuaries can realistically anticipate gradual salary increases as they progress through their initial years of experience, potentially reaching $94,208 within a few years. The job market in Upland is favorable for recent graduates, with a growth trajectory projected at 3.20% annually, which suggests that opportunities will likely continue to expand as firms recognize the value of data-driven decision-making in various industries.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Upland
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 Upland
Entry-level actuarys in Upland, CA typically start between $76,348 and $94,208 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,649 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $125,805 — 6.23% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in California of $82,000 represents just 107.40% of the starting actuary pay ($76,348/year) in Upland. 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 Upland
- 1Research the Upland market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,348 to $94,208, 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 Upland, 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 Upland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Upland'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 Upland is $118,649 ( 155.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,348, experienced hygienists can earn up to $194,997.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,072
2025 BLS Actual
$73,981
2026 Current Est.
$76,348
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,072 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,565 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,569 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,977 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,244 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,981 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,348 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,792 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Upland, CA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,072 in 2019 to $73,981 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,792. New graduates entering the Upland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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 Upland
Employers in Upland actively seek out fresh talent from local universities to fill entry-level actuarial positions. Major life insurers, such as Prudential and MetLife, are known for recruiting directly from campus pipelines and often provide structured study time for actuarial exams, essential for advancing in this profession. Health insurers and consulting giants like Milliman, Mercer, and Aon are also common employers. A Bachelor's degree in mathematics or actuarial science, along with passing preliminary exams and obtaining VEE credits, sets the groundwork for a successful career. Since exam progression heavily influences pay, those who aim for the ASA designation can expect salary increments of $3,000 to $8,000 with each examination passed. Realistically, entry-level actuaries can anticipate considerable salary growth within their first three years, especially if they continue to build their credentials, taking advantage of the rising demand for specialists in predictive analytics and data science.
More salary data for Upland, 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 Upland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Upland 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