Actuary Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $132,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $132,065/year (≈ $63.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $116,289 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Los Angeles, CA, are expected to earn a median salary of $132,065, which is slightly lower than the national median of $134,160. This figure reflects a broad salary range, with entry-level professionals earning around $86,502 while experienced actuaries might command as much as $219,826. These statistics, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, highlight the competitive landscape of the actuarial market in Los Angeles. As the SOA and CAS specialties continue to evolve, actuaries have compelling opportunities, particularly within life and health sectors versus property and casualty roles, leading to diverse pay scales and career trajectories.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,502 | $41.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,337 | $51.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,065 | $63.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,418 | $93.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,826 | $105.69 |
Median Salary Position
1.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,324 (2026 est.). At $132,065, the local median is 1.56% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Actuary Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $132,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,113 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -1.56% less |
Actuarys in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $132,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.56% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.50% above the California state average of $130,113.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,065 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,289 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,380
2025 BLS Actual
$127,970
2026 Current Est.
$132,065
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,291 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 12.9% from $113,380 (2019) to $127,970 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,291 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,911 (20.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $86,502 – $106,337 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,337 – $132,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,065 – $194,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,418 – $219,826 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Los Angeles
A significant number of 380 actuaries work in the Los Angeles area, indicating a robust job market. However, with a cost-of-living index of 113.566, professionals must navigate financial realities that can affect net earnings. Employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and UnitedHealth are known for high compensation, especially for those achieving Fellowship status or working in consulting roles. The disparity in salary can often be attributed to the exam progression system; each successfully passed exam typically translates to an increase in base pay ranging from $3,000 to $8,000. Furthermore, actuaries who specialize in property and casualty reinsurance consulting tend to see higher pay compared to their peers in life or pension sectors. For professionals looking to maximize their actuary pay in Los Angeles, focusing on exam completion and acquiring predictive analytics skills can be key strategies.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 $127,970 for actuariesin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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