Actuary Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $66.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Santa Ana, CA runs $66.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,834 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,698 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, California, the actuary hourly pay is projected to reach $66.26 in 2026, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $64.50. This competitive rate reflects the economic conditions of the region and offers an appealing incentive for both full-time employees and part-time actuaries, particularly those working in various settings such as insurance pricing departments and consulting firms. Part-time actuaries working three days a week, for example, can expect a rewarding income based on the hourly rate, sufficient to support a comfortable lifestyle while allowing for flexible work hours. The hourly earnings range from $38.43 for entry-level positions to $102.71 for top earners, making it an attractive profession for those with the right qualifications.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $38.43 | $307.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.71 | $381.67 |
| Median (P50) | $66.26 | $530.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.82 | $678.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.71 | $821.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $66.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.26/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $137,831 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,518. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,650.59 | $11,486 | $137,831 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,590.35 | $6,892 | $82,698 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,060.24 | $4,594 | $55,132 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Santa Ana) | $66.26 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $137,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.74% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 6.00% above the California state average of $130,032.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.26/hr = $82,698/year (purchasing power: $73,120).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,831/year (purchasing power: $121,866).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Santa Ana grew 20.0% from $53.52/hr (2019) to $64.21/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.39/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Examining the potential earnings for part-time actuaries reveals substantial differences between full-time and part-time roles. An actuary working 24 hours per week at the median hourly rate would earn a respectable income, but it falls short of what a full-time colleague might take home annually. Additionally, per diem roles in Santa Ana, although rarer for those at the start of their careers, can yield lucrative prospects in consulting engagements, where billing rates for seasoned professionals with FSA or FCAS designations can soar to between $250 and $500 per hour. Various employer types, ranging from life insurance firms like Prudential to consulting giants like Mercer, present different compensation packages, often weighing hourly pay against the benefits provided. For actuaries in the area, negotiating for better hourly wages while considering health benefits is crucial, as some may opt for higher-paid positions without benefits, highlighting the trade-offs inherent in their job choices.
More salary data for Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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