Actuary Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $66.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Bakersfield, CA runs $66.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,297 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,574 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Actuaries in Bakersfield, California, command a median hourly rate of $66.97, which is notably above the national hourly median of $64.50. This increase in pay highlights the demand for actuarial skills in regional sectors such as insurance and consulting, where actuaries commonly work. For those considering part-time opportunities, such as three days a week, the hourly rate allows for a competitive income while balancing other commitments. Entry-level actuaries can expect to start around $38.84 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $103.80 per hour based on skill and specialization. The hourly estimates provided derive from annual salary data and illustrate the varied opportunities available in different settings like insurance company actuarial pricing departments, consulting engagements, and remote modeling work.
About the Bakersfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.84 | $310.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.39 | $387.12 |
| Median (P50) | $66.97 | $535.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.72 | $685.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.80 | $830.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $66.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.97/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $139,290 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,360. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,678.66 | $11,608 | $139,290 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,607.20 | $6,965 | $83,574 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,071.46 | $4,643 | $55,716 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Bakersfield) | $66.97 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $139,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 7.10% above the California state average of $130,063.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.97/hr = $83,574/year (purchasing power: $73,894).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,290/year (purchasing power: $123,157).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Bakersfield grew 20.0% from $54.08/hr (2019) to $64.89/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.11/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Bakersfield
When examining the earning potential of part-time actuaries, those working a 24-hour week could expect an annual income of approximately $83,993, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For actuaries exploring per-diem or 1099 opportunities, these positions usually target more seasoned professionals, as entry-level roles rarely offer such arrangements. Experts in the field can achieve impressive per diem actuary pay in Bakersfield, particularly through consulting engagements or expert witness testimony, with rates ranging from $250 to $800 per hour. Different types of employers, from life insurance firms to health management companies and consulting agencies, may exhibit substantial variations in pay. While some firms offer lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, many seasoned actuaries weigh the trade-offs of higher hourly wages against benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in Bakersfield typically requires a clear understanding of local market demand, the value of advanced credentials like ASA and FSA, and an appreciation for the specific needs of prospective clients or employers.
More salary data for Bakersfield, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bakersfield 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