Actuary Salary in Merced, CA: $126,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Merced, CA earns a median $126,392/year (≈ $60.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Merced's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Merced, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,392. This figure represents a slight decline compared to the national median of $134,160, placing Merced's compensation approximately 5.79% below the national standard. The salary range for actuaries in the area varies noticeably, with entry-level positions starting around $74,456 (10th percentile) and more experienced professionals nearing $195,908 (90th percentile). Such figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost disparities, reflect the competitive nature of the actuary profession, particularly considering the gradient between consulting firms and insurers. In Merced, opportunities may be more pronounced within consulting environments, where future growth is increasingly fueled by data analytics and specialized expertise.
About the Merced Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,456 | $35.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,572 | $44.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,392 | $60.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,781 | $77.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,908 | $94.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,452 (2026 est.). At $126,392, the local median is 5.79% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merced Actuary Pay Compares
Merced median: $126,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,033 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -5.79% less |
Actuarys in Merced, CA earn a median of $126,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.79% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.80% below the California state average of $130,033.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,392 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,752 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,077
2025 BLS Actual
$122,473
2026 Current Est.
$126,392
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,077 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,768 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,052 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,632 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,473 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $102,077 (2019) to $122,473 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,360 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $74,456 – $92,572 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,572 – $126,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,392 – $161,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,781 – $195,908 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Merced
The job market for actuaries in Merced is relatively small, with only 20 professionals employed locally, yet the landscape is competitive. Given the city's cost of living index of 113.1, actuaries may find that their take-home purchasing power can be affected despite the appealing salary projections. Among employers offering competitive actuary pay in Merced, insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, along with consulting firms like Mercer and WTW, can provide higher compensation packages, especially for those achieving fellowship status. The variability in salaries is largely attributed to factors such as exam progression, with each passed exam potentially increasing pay by an additional $3,000 to $8,000. To maximize earnings, aspiring actuaries should focus on advancing through exams efficiently, targeting specific specialty markets, and pursuing opportunities within consulting firms that reward higher credential levels with premium salaries.
More salary data for Merced, 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 $122,473 for actuariesin the Merced 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 Merced 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