Actuary Hourly Pay in San Luis Obispo, CA: $60.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in San Luis Obispo, CA runs $60.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,767 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against San Luis Obispo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,066 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuarial professionals in San Luis Obispo can expect a median hourly pay of $60.95, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median hourly rate of $64.50. This rate provides a solid foundation for part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, who can effectively earn a substantial amount while maintaining a flexible schedule. For those engaged in per-diem work or remote modeling, the hourly pay can be attractive in high-demand settings like insurance pricing departments or consulting firms. Entry-level actuaries might start at approximately $36.09 per hour, while top professionals in this market can earn around $94.47, indicating a robust potential for growth as they build their expertise and credentialing through the ASA-to-FSA timeline.
About the San Luis Obispo 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) | $36.09 | $288.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.69 | $357.48 |
| Median (P50) | $60.95 | $487.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.01 | $624.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.47 | $755.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Luis Obispo
Based on $60.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.95/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Luis Obispo, CA can expect to earn approximately $126,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,140. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Luis Obispo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Luis Obispo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,438.00 | $10,565 | $126,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,462.80 | $6,339 | $76,066 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $975.20 | $4,226 | $50,710 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (San Luis Obispo) | $60.95 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in San Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $126,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.51% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.60% below the California state average of $130,151.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.95/hr = $76,066/year (purchasing power: $67,255).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,776/year (purchasing power: $112,092).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in San Luis Obispo grew 20.0% from $49.22/hr (2019) to $59.06/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.90/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 San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo
Focusing on the earning potential reveals interesting insights into the profession. A part-time actuary working 24 hours per week could take home about $75,000 annually, which is notably less than what full-time actuaries can achieve. Per-diem actuary pay in San Luis Obispo is less common for those just starting but can significantly increase for seasoned professionals. Actuaries with Fellowship credentials (FSA or FCAS) often find themselves in consulting roles, billing clients at rates between $250 to $500 per hour, while those serving as expert witnesses can command between $400 to $800 hourly in litigation settings. The diversity of employer types—from life insurance giants like Prudential to property and casualty firms like State Farm—creates vast differences in hourly rates. Some actuaries choose lower-paying positions with benefits like health insurance, while others pursue higher hourly rates without such perks. For hourly workers in San Luis Obispo, effective negotiation strategies can help secure fair pay and desired benefits, ensuring a successful career trajectory.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for actuaries in San Luis Obispo in 2026?
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Do actuaries earn more per hour working part-time in San Luis Obispo?
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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 San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo 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