Actuary Pay

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.

$139,297
Median Annual Salary
$66.97/hr
Hourly Rate
$80,792
Entry Level (P10)
$215,911
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Actuary Hourly Rate in Bakersfield, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Bakersfield, CA actuary hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a actuary in Bakersfield earning $66.97/hr would make approximately $80,360 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $139,290 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$80,360Reduced (32 hr/wk)$107,146Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$139,290

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$535.73
per 8hr shift
$2,678.66
per week
$11,608
per month
$139,290
per year

Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing actuary median salary in Bakersfield ($139,297) with California average ($130,063) and the US national median ($134,160).Bakersfield$139,297California Avg$130,063+7.10%US National$134,160+3.83%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for actuaries in Bakersfield. Baseline $54.08/hr in 2025, projected to $69.11/hr by 2027.$46$58$70$81$932019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$54.08$55.42$52.86$56.90$59.90$86.17$64.89$66.97$69.11
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$54.08/hrActual
2020$55.42/hrActual
2021$52.86/hrActual
2022$56.90/hrActual
2023$59.90/hrActual
2024$86.17/hrActual
2025$64.89/hrActual
2026(current)$66.97/hrEstimated
2027$69.11/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for actuaries in Bakersfield in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for actuaries in Bakersfield is $66.97/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.20% annual growth). Rates range from $38.84 at entry level (10th percentile) to $103.80 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 3.8% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time actuaries make in Bakersfield?

A part-time actuary working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Bakersfield earns approximately $6,965/month, or $83,574/year at the median hourly rate of $66.97. Many actuaries prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are actuaries in Bakersfield paid hourly or salary?

The majority of actuaries in Bakersfield are paid hourly at a median rate of $66.97/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $139,290/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time actuary make per year in Bakersfield?

A full-time actuary working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Bakersfield earns approximately $139,290/year at the median hourly rate of $66.97. This is 3.8% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $215,901/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do actuaries earn more per hour working part-time in Bakersfield?

Part-time and per diem actuaries in Bakersfield sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $103.80/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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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

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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