Actuary Salary in Burbank, CA: $128,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Burbank, CA earns a median $128,483/year (≈ $61.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Burbank's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $113,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Burbank, California will see a median salary of $128,483, reflecting a slightly lower pay scale compared to the national median of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries in this city is projected to span from $74,520 at the 10th percentile to $199,148 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in compensation levels. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, highlight the dichotomy between those specializing in life, health, and pension (SOA) and those focusing on property and casualty (CAS) sectors. Understanding these distinctions can offer vital insights into personal career decisions and specialty market choices for aspiring actuarial professionals in Burbank.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,640 | $44.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,483 | $61.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,458 | $79.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,148 | $95.75 |
Median Salary Position
4.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
In Burbank, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,628 (2026 est.). At $128,483, the local median is 4.23% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burbank: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burbank Actuary Pay Compares
Burbank median: $128,483/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burbank Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,043 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -4.23% less |
Actuarys in Burbank, CA earn a median of $128,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.23% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.20% below the California state average of $130,043.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burbank has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burbank, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,483 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $113,601 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,765
2025 BLS Actual
$124,499
2026 Current Est.
$128,483
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,765 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,332 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,419 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,166 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,922 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,322 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,499 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burbank metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $103,765 (2019) to $124,499 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,829 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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) | $74,520 – $92,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,640 – $128,483 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,483 – $164,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,458 – $199,148 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Burbank
With only 22 actuaries currently employed in Burbank, the local job market presents both opportunities and challenges. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, meaning that while actuarial salaries are robust, the higher living costs can impact purchasing power. Life insurance companies, such as Prudential and MetLife, are among the highest-paying employers in the region, followed closely by health insurance giants like UnitedHealth and Cigna. The significant salary spread reflects various factors, including exam progression incentives and the specific market focus—property and casualty positions may yield higher pay compared to life or pension roles. To maximize pay in the Burbank market, candidates should prioritize passing actuarial exams and aim for credentials such as FSA or FCAS, as well as developing expertise in predictive analytics and data science, which are increasingly desirable in today's dynamic actuarial field.
More salary data for Burbank, 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
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 $124,499 for actuariesin the Burbank 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 Burbank 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