Actuary Salary in Murrieta, CA: $129,818 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Murrieta, CA earns a median $129,818/year (≈ $62.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Murrieta, California, actuaries are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,818 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries in the area runs from $80,042 at the bottom (10th percentile) to $201,218 at the top (90th percentile). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflect the market's potential impact on compensation for those in this field. Additionally, with local employment figures revealing around 25 actuaries currently working in the area, Murrieta represents a specific niche within the broader field, where candidates can further their careers through meaningful exam progression and specialization.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,042 | $38.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,983 | $47.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,818 | $62.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,167 | $79.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,218 | $96.74 |
Median Salary Position
3.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,176 (2026 est.). At $129,818, the local median is 3.24% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Actuary Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $129,818/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,079 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -3.24% less |
Actuarys in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $129,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.24% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.20% below the California state average of $130,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,818 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,782 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,844
2025 BLS Actual
$125,793
2026 Current Est.
$129,818
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,844 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,437 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,117 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,793 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,818 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,973 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $104,844 (2019) to $125,793 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,973 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,129 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $80,042 – $97,983 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,983 – $129,818 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,818 – $166,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,167 – $201,218 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Murrieta
The cost of living in Murrieta adds another layer to the compensation discussion, with an index of 113.1 suggesting higher expenses compared to the national average. This reality can affect take-home pay, making it essential for actuaries to maximize their earnings through strategic career decisions. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries for actuaries in the region include leading health and life insurance companies such as UnitedHealth and Prudential, as well as property and casualty firms like State Farm. To bridge the pay gap between entry-level and experienced actuaries, a focus on passing exams, acquiring additional credentials, and developing niche expertise can significantly enhance earning potential. Ultimately, aspiring actuaries should consider how their study time, completion of Society of Actuaries (SOA) requirements, and specialization will impact their long-term financial outlook in Murrieta's competitive job market.
More salary data for Murrieta, 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 $125,793 for actuariesin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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