Actuary Hourly Pay in Salinas, CA: $63.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Salinas, CA runs $63.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,172 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Salinas's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,298 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Salinas, California, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $63.54, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $64.50. This hourly rate offers attractive opportunities for part-time workers. Actuaries working three days a week for 24 hours total can comfortably maintain a decent income, particularly in settings like insurance company actuarial pricing departments or consulting firm engagements. The salary range for actuaries in Salinas varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $36.85 per hour, while top earners can command up to $98.49 per hour. This breadth in pay reflects the variance in experience and responsibilities, providing flexibility for those in the profession.
About the Salinas 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) | $36.85 | $294.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.75 | $365.99 |
| Median (P50) | $63.54 | $508.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.33 | $650.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.49 | $787.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salinas
Based on $63.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.54/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salinas, CA can expect to earn approximately $132,164 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,248. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salinas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salinas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,541.61 | $11,014 | $132,164 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,524.97 | $6,608 | $79,298 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,016.64 | $4,405 | $52,865 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Salinas) | $63.54 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Salinas, CA earn a median of $132,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.60% above the California state average of $130,091.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.54/hr = $79,298/year (purchasing power: $70,113).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,164/year (purchasing power: $116,856).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Salinas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $81.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Salinas grew 20.0% from $51.32/hr (2019) to $61.57/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.57/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 Salinas 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 Salinas
Evaluating earning potential through the lens of part-time work, an actuary in Salinas working 24 hours a week could potentially take home approximately $73,036 annually, compared to full-time colleagues earning a much higher annual income. For those considering per diem actuarial work, it's noteworthy that while junior-level positions may find hourly contracts rare, senior actuaries often engage in consulting that can command impressive per diem actuary pay in Salinas, typically billed at rates ranging from $250 to $500 per hour for FSA/FCAS-level professionals. Moreover, actuarial hourly rates can vary significantly based on the employer; life insurance firms and consulting agencies tend to offer higher wages as opposed to traditional property and casualty insurers. Despite offering lower hourly rates, some actuaries may still prefer health insurance positions due to the associated benefits. Practical negotiation tips include understanding the trade-off between hourly pay and benefits, aligning your skills and qualifications with market demand, and leveraging your exam progression to command a higher rate.
More salary data for Salinas, 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 Salinas. 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 Salinas 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