Actuary Salary in Brentwood, CA: $129,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Brentwood, CA earns a median $129,762/year (≈ $62.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,732 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Brentwood, California earn a median salary of $129,762, which is slightly lower than the national median of $134,160. The full salary range in the area spans from $75,278 at the 10th percentile to $201,131 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the nuanced pay landscape influenced by local economic factors and cost of living adjustments. It's evident that actuaries in Brentwood have opportunities primarily through consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW, as these employers often provide premium compensation for credentialed professionals compared to their counterparts in insurance companies.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,278 | $36.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,169 | $45.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,762 | $62.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,095 | $79.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,131 | $96.70 |
Median Salary Position
3.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,853 (2026 est.). At $129,762, the local median is 3.28% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Actuary Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $129,762/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,152 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -3.28% less |
Actuarys in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $129,762 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.28% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.30% below the California state average of $130,152.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,762 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,732 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,798
2025 BLS Actual
$125,738
2026 Current Est.
$129,762
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,798 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,066 | Actual |
| 2024 | $166,967 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,738 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $104,798 (2019) to $125,738 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,116 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $75,278 – $94,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,169 – $129,762 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,762 – $166,095 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,095 – $201,131 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Brentwood
Despite the relatively modest adjustments in salary compared to national averages, the local job market for actuaries remains stable, with 13 professionals employed in Brentwood. The elevated cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1, underscores the need for higher salaries to maintain purchasing power. Qualified actuaries should consider specialties in property and casualty reinsurance or consulting, which tend to offer better pay compared to life and health sectors. The gradual accumulation of credentials through exam progression—where each passed exam contributes an increase in financial compensation—can be a viable strategy for maximizing pay in the Brentwood market. Additionally, negotiating signing bonuses for completed actuarial exams can further enhance earnings potential for those entering this rewarding field.
More salary data for Brentwood, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $125,738 for actuariesin the Brentwood metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood 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