Actuary Hourly Pay in Laguna Niguel, CA: $60.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Laguna Niguel, CA runs $60.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,310 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Laguna Niguel's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,782 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Laguna Niguel, the actuary hourly pay stands at a median of $60.72, notably below the national hourly median of $64.50. This represents a competitive wage for actuaries working in local settings such as insurance pricing departments, consulting firm engagements, or remote actuarial modeling roles. For part-time professionals or those considering per-diem opportunities, these figures can translate into a meaningful income. Entry-level actuaries might earn approximately $37.23 per hour, while those at the pinnacle of their careers could reach as high as $94.13. This wage structure provides a clear pathway for advancement, with hourly rates estimated based on annual salary data reflecting the continuing demand for actuarial expertise in various sectors within CA and across the nation.
About the Laguna Niguel 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) | $37.23 | $297.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.76 | $366.07 |
| Median (P50) | $60.72 | $485.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.73 | $621.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.13 | $753.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laguna Niguel
Based on $60.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.72/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laguna Niguel, CA can expect to earn approximately $126,304 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,867. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Laguna Niguel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laguna Niguel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,428.92 | $10,525 | $126,304 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,457.35 | $6,315 | $75,782 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $971.57 | $4,210 | $50,521 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Laguna Niguel) | $60.72 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Laguna Niguel, CA earn a median of $126,310 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.90% below the California state average of $130,082.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.72/hr = $75,782/year (purchasing power: $67,005).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,304/year (purchasing power: $111,674).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Laguna Niguel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Laguna Niguel grew 20.0% from $49.04/hr (2019) to $58.84/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.67/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 Laguna Niguel 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 Laguna Niguel
Considering a part-time schedule of three days a week, an actuary working 24 hours would realistically expect an annual compensation around $75,000, starkly contrasted with a full-time equivalent that could surpass $126,310. While per diem or agency roles may not be standard for entry-level positions, experienced actuaries can command impressive rates—ranging from $250 to $500 per hour for consulting projects, and even higher for expert witness roles, typically priced between $400 and $800 per hour. The diverse sectors within Laguna Niguel, from life insurance giants like Prudential and MetLife to consulting firms such as Mercer and Aon, offer varying compensation structures. Many actuaries weigh the benefits of stable employment with lower hourly rates against opportunities for higher pay without benefits in contract roles. As with any profession, negotiation is critical; actuaries should be prepared to discuss their skills and market demands to secure competitive offers in a city with a cost of living index of 113.1.
More salary data for Laguna Niguel, 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 Laguna Niguel. 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 Laguna Niguel 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