Actuary Salary in Fullerton, CA: $133,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Fullerton, CA earns a median $133,634/year (≈ $64.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $118,156 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Fullerton, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,634, reflecting a competitive position within the industry. This figure places actuaries in Fullerton slightly below the national median of $134,160, indicating a relatively stable market for this profession. Salary expectations range from $77,507 at the 10th percentile to $207,133 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential that varies based on experience, specialty, and employer. Local estimates draw from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differences and other factors. Fullerton presents unique opportunities within the actuarial landscape, especially as employers seek professionals with diverse specialties, such as life, health, and pension through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or property and casualty coverage via the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS).
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,507 | $37.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,534 | $46.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,634 | $64.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,051 | $82.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,133 | $99.59 |
Median Salary Position
0.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,626 (2026 est.). At $133,634, the local median is 0.39% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Actuary Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $133,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,120 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -0.39% less |
Actuarys in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $133,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.70% above the California state average of $130,120.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,634 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $118,156 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$107,925
2025 BLS Actual
$129,490
2026 Current Est.
$133,634
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,925 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,594 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,485 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,529 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,910 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $107,925 (2019) to $129,490 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,910 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,985 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $77,507 – $97,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,534 – $133,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,634 – $171,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,051 – $207,133 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Fullerton
The local job market in Fullerton is modest but steady, with about 25 actuaries currently employed in the area. While Fullerton's cost of living index stands at 113.1, which is slightly above the national average, it underscores the importance of considering take-home pay as a factor in total compensation. Leading employers in the area include major life insurance companies like Prudential, alongside health insurers such as UnitedHealth and Cigna. The pay disparity between lower and higher salaries in the market often hinges on several factors, including the progression through actuarial exams, which can yield pay increases of $3,000 to $8,000 per passed exam. Furthermore, becoming a Fellow in either SOA or CAS can lead to higher compensation, particularly in consulting firms that favor FSAs and FCAS candidates. Aspiring actuaries in Fullerton should focus on developing skills in predictive analytics and data science to enhance their marketability, alongside pursuing exam completion for potential bonuses and higher salaries.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Fullerton, CA in 2026?
Is Fullerton, CA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Fullerton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Fullerton?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Fullerton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $129,490 for actuariesin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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