Actuary Hourly Pay in Oakland, CA: $88.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Oakland, CA runs $88.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $185,059 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Oakland's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $78.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $111,033 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oakland, California, the median hourly pay for actuaries is projected to reach $88.97 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64.50. This elevated rate reflects the competitive market for actuaries in the region and offers attractive opportunities for part-time or per diem work. Actuaries employed part-time, such as those working three days a week, can leverage this rate to earn a substantial income, while per diem actuaries may find contracts or project-based assignments within various industries, including insurance and consulting. The range of hourly pay can vary considerably—from around $51.60 for entry-level positions to as much as $137.91 for leading professionals, indicating a solid career trajectory for those who advance their education and credentials, especially through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS).
About the Oakland 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) | $51.60 | $412.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.59 | $516.74 |
| Median (P50) | $88.97 | $711.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113.88 | $911.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137.91 | $1103.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oakland
Based on $88.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $88.97/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oakland, CA can expect to earn approximately $185,055 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $106,762. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oakland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oakland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,558.75 | $15,421 | $185,055 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,135.25 | $9,253 | $111,033 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,423.50 | $6,168 | $74,022 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Oakland) | $88.97 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Oakland, CA earn a median of $185,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.94% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 42.30% above the California state average of $130,049.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $88.97/hr = $111,033/year (purchasing power: $98,172).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $185,055/year (purchasing power: $163,621).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$86.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$88.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Oakland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $75.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $79.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $86.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Oakland grew 20.0% from $71.85/hr (2019) to $86.21/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $91.82/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 Oakland 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 Oakland
Part-time actuaries focusing on a three-day workweek and billing for 24 hours would still earn an impressive income compared to full-time counterparts, contributing to a rewarding income path for those balancing other commitments. For the exceptional few engaged in per diem work, especially after achieving Fellowship status (FSA or FCAS), the potential billing rates rise dramatically—consulting can command between $250 to $500 per hour, while expert witness testimony may yield $400 to $800 per hour. Employers differ widely in compensation structures; life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, managed care providers such as UnitedHealth, or consulting giants like Mercer tend to compete for top talent, often adjusting their hourly rates for the inclusion of benefits. Actuaries must weigh the benefits of lower hourly pay against job security and health insurance offerings when considering positions. For those negotiating contracts in Oakland, emphasizing specialized skill sets, particularly in predictive analytics and data science, may provide leverage to secure more favorable agreements in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Oakland, 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 Oakland. 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 Oakland 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