Actuary Salary in Milpitas, CA: $126,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Milpitas, CA earns a median $126,249/year (≈ $60.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Milpitas's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuary salaries in Milpitas, California, show a median of $126,249, reflecting a competitive position against the national median of $134,160. Salary ranges demonstrate a wide dispersion in pay, from $77,830 at the 10th percentile to $195,686 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial opportunities for growth and varying levels of specialization. These figures are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences. Actuaries specializing in life, health, and pension coverage often find themselves in a different compensation landscape compared to their counterparts in property and casualty (P&C) sectors, which could influence career decisions in the local job market.
About the Milpitas Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,062 | $45.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,249 | $60.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,599 | $77.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,686 | $94.08 |
Median Salary Position
5.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milpitas
In Milpitas, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,856 (2026 est.). At $126,249, the local median is 5.9% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milpitas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milpitas Actuary Pay Compares
Milpitas median: $126,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milpitas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,153 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -5.90% less |
Actuarys in Milpitas, CA earn a median of $126,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.90% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.00% below the California state average of $130,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milpitas has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milpitas, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,249 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,626 — 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
$101,961
2025 BLS Actual
$122,334
2026 Current Est.
$126,249
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Milpitas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,961 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,268 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,924 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,446 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,334 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,289 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milpitas metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,961 (2019) to $122,334 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,289 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,328 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milpitas 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) | $77,830 – $95,062 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,062 – $126,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,249 – $161,599 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,599 – $195,686 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Milpitas
With only 16 actuaries currently employed in Milpitas, the job market is relatively niche but still vital. The local cost of living index of 113.1 may influence take-home compensation, suggesting that while salaries can be attractive, the purchasing power can be affected. Among companies in Milpitas, life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife as well as managed care giants such as UnitedHealth offer some of the highest salaries. The significant disparity in pay between junior and senior actuaries is driven by factors such as exam progression, with each passed exam yielding increases of $3,000 to $8,000 to base pay. Professionals seeking to maximize their actuary pay in Milpitas, CA, should aim to achieve fellow-level credentials and consider enhancing analytical skills, as these qualifications promote advancement in both consulting firms and traditional insurance roles.
More salary data for Milpitas, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Milpitas, CA in 2026?
Is Milpitas, CA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Milpitas?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Milpitas?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Milpitas?
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 $122,334 for actuariesin the Milpitas 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 Milpitas 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