Actuary Salary in Lake Forest, CA: $127,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Lake Forest, CA earns a median $127,721/year (≈ $61.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Lake Forest's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $112,927 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the actuary salary in Lake Forest, California, presents an appealing financial opportunity, particularly for those focused on life, health, and pension sectors under the SOA versus property and casualty roles typically associated with the CAS. The projected median annual income stands at $127,721, with a salary range that spans from $80,553 at the lower 10th percentile to $197,969 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for the region's cost of living, indicating a competitive market for actuaries in Lake Forest. With a relatively small cohort of 14 actuaries currently employed locally, the specialized skills in this field may enhance job security and leverage in salary negotiations.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,553 | $38.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,128 | $45.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,721 | $61.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,483 | $78.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,969 | $95.18 |
Median Salary Position
4.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Forest
In Lake Forest, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,416 (2026 est.). At $127,721, the local median is 4.8% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Forest Actuary Pay Compares
Lake Forest median: $127,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,062 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -4.80% less |
Actuarys in Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $127,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.80% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.80% below the California state average of $130,062.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Forest has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Forest, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,721 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,927 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,150
2025 BLS Actual
$123,761
2026 Current Est.
$127,721
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,818 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,241 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,342 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,761 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Forest metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $103,150 (2019) to $123,761 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,658 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Forest 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) | $80,553 – $95,128 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,128 – $127,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,721 – $163,483 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,483 – $197,969 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Lake Forest
As the cost of living index in Lake Forest registers at 113.1, exceeding the national average, actuaries must consider how their salaries translate into purchasing power. Employers in the region, including prominent firms like Prudential, UnitedHealth, and State Farm, tend to offer more competitive pay packages, particularly for those who've achieved higher-level designations such as FSA or FCAS. Variations in actuary pay in Lake Forest CA stem from several pivotal factors, including exam progression, credential levels, and the choice of specialty markets, with property and casualty roles generally yielding higher salaries compared to life or pension segments. Maximizing future earnings may hinge on a strategic focus on exam success, as passing each exam can lead to significant salary increments, alongside leveraging data analytics skills that are increasingly in demand across various employers.
More salary data for Lake Forest, 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 $123,761 for actuariesin the Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest 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