Actuary Salary in Davis, CA: $125,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Davis, CA earns a median $125,898/year (≈ $60.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,316 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Davis, California, actuaries can expect a median annual compensation of $125,898 in 2026, which is approximately 6.16% lower than the projected national median for that year. Salary figures range significantly from $76,937 at the 10th percentile to as high as $195,142 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, highlight the diverse earning potential in the region. The choice between specialties—such as those aligned with the Society of Actuaries (SOA) focusing on life, health, and pensions versus the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) with a focus on property and casualty—can notably influence salary dynamics and market opportunities available to professionals within Davis's job market.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,937 | $36.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,386 | $45.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,898 | $60.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,149 | $77.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,142 | $93.82 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,205 (2026 est.). At $125,898, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Actuary Pay Compares
Davis median: $125,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,060 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -6.16% less |
Actuarys in Davis, CA earn a median of $125,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.20% below the California state average of $130,060.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,898 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,316 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,677
2025 BLS Actual
$121,994
2026 Current Est.
$125,898
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,677 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $161,995 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,994 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,677 (2019) to $121,994 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,250 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $76,937 – $94,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,386 – $125,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,898 – $161,149 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,149 – $195,142 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Davis
A closer look at the local job scene reveals that Davis is home to 14 practicing actuaries, offering a limited but stable professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, living expenses are significantly above the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may not stretch as far in this market. Employers likely yielding the highest compensations include life insurance giants like Prudential and health insurance firms such as UnitedHealth and Cigna, along with consulting powerhouses like Milliman and Aon. The considerable salary variance is often linked to exam progression, as each passed exam typically increases pay by $3,000 to $8,000. Therefore, aspiring actuaries should prioritize obtaining credentials like the ASA or FSA to maximize earnings potential. Developing predictive analytics and data science skills further enhances one’s marketability in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Davis, 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 $121,994 for actuariesin the Davis 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 Davis 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