Actuary Hourly Pay in Redwood City, CA: $61.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Redwood City, CA runs $61.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Redwood City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,349 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Redwood City, California, actuaries earn a median hourly rate of $61.18, which falls below the national median of $64.50. This rate reflects a diverse click through various actuarial settings, including insurance pricing departments and consulting firms. For those seeking part-time work, such as three days a week, this translates to a blend of work-life balance and competitive pay, allowing for a meaningful income while not fully committing to a standard 40-hour week. The hourly compensation ranges from $38.41 at the entry level to approximately $94.82 for top earners in the field, indicating a spectrum of opportunities for both new and experienced actuaries.
About the Redwood City 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) | $38.41 | $307.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.29 | $362.36 |
| Median (P50) | $61.18 | $489.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.31 | $626.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.82 | $758.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Redwood City
Based on $61.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.18/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Redwood City, CA can expect to earn approximately $127,248 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,412. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Redwood City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Redwood City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,447.08 | $10,604 | $127,248 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,468.25 | $6,362 | $76,349 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $978.83 | $4,242 | $50,899 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Redwood City) | $61.18 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $127,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.15% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.20% below the California state average of $130,110.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.18/hr = $76,349/year (purchasing power: $67,506).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,248/year (purchasing power: $112,509).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Redwood City grew 20.0% from $49.41/hr (2019) to $59.28/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.13/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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City
Taking a closer look at part-time earning potential reveals that a 24-hour workweek equates to an annual income of around $76,000, a respectable figure comparable to some full-time positions. In Redwood City, per-diem or contract work is less common for recent graduates, though those with fellowship designations, such as FSA or FCAS, can command hourly fees between $250 and $500, especially in consulting or expert testimony roles. Various employer types influence hourly rates, as life and health insurance companies, reinsurance firms, and consulting firms all have distinct pay scales. Some actuaries rationalize accepting lower hourly rates for the benefits afforded by larger companies, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. For actuaries considering negotiations, articulating the value of specialty skills or certifications can be a potent strategy to optimize hourly pay in Redwood City.
More salary data for Redwood City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City 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