Actuary Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $60.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Merced, CA runs $60.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,392 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,834 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Merced, California, the projected median hourly pay for actuaries is $60.76, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $64.50. This figure indicates that actuaries working part-time—say, three days a week—could earn approximately $46,000 annually, offering a viable option for those seeking flexibility. The hourly range spans from $35.80 at the entry-level to about $94.19 for top earners, reflecting the wide variety of roles actuaries can occupy within their profession. Whether involved in the actuarial pricing departments of insurance companies, consulting for client engagements, or modeling in hybrid settings, actuaries in Merced can expect their hourly rates to resonate across this spectrum. However, these rates are drawn from annual salary projections, illustrating the full-time nature of many actuarial roles while still accommodating part-time opportunities.
About the Merced 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) | $35.80 | $286.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.51 | $356.08 |
| Median (P50) | $60.76 | $486.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.78 | $622.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.19 | $753.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $60.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.76/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $126,389 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,917. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,430.57 | $10,532 | $126,389 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,458.34 | $6,319 | $75,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $972.23 | $4,213 | $50,556 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Merced) | $60.76 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Merced, CA earn a median of $126,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.79% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.80% below the California state average of $130,033.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.76/hr = $75,834/year (purchasing power: $67,050).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,389/year (purchasing power: $111,750).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Merced grew 20.0% from $49.07/hr (2019) to $58.88/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.71/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 Merced 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 Merced
For actuaries considering part-time work in Merced, annual earnings for a three-day workweek translate to around $46,000, which comes from working an estimated 24 hours weekly. While per-diem and agency roles are generally less available for junior-level actuaries, experienced professionals can find lucrative opportunities in consulting, where engagement rates might range from $250 to $500 per hour for Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) credentials. Expert witness roles in litigation related to insurance or pensions can command even higher rates, anywhere from $400 to $800 per hour. It's essential to note how hourly rates differ by employer type in Merced, with life insurance firms like Prudential offering competitive pay, while positions in health insurance or consulting may provide additional benefits that appeal to some actuaries despite potentially lower hourly rates. When negotiating, consider highlighting specialized skills, such as proficiency in predictive analytics or data science, which can significantly enhance your value proposition within the local insurance and consulting markets.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for actuaries in Merced in 2026?
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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 Merced. 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 Merced 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