Actuary Salary in Oakland, CA: $185,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Oakland, CA earns a median $185,059/year (≈ $88.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Oakland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $163,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 42.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Oakland, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $185,059 in 2026, which significantly exceeds the national median of $134,160 for the same year. The local salary range, spanning from $107,334 at the 10th percentile to $286,842 at the 90th percentile, demonstrates the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and specialization. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost of living, indicating a robust job market for actuaries in Oakland. This competitive environment is especially favorable for those at the FSA level, particularly within consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, and WTW, where salaries tend to be higher than those in traditional insurance roles.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,334 | $51.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,356 | $64.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $185,059 | $88.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $236,876 | $113.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $286,842 | $137.91 |
Median Salary Position
37.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakland
In Oakland, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $179,508 (2026 est.). At $185,059, the local median is 37.94% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oakland Actuary Pay Compares
Oakland median: $185,059/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,049 | +42.30% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +37.94% more |
Actuarys in Oakland, CA earn a median of $185,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.94% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 42.30% above the California state average of $130,049.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $185,059 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $163,624 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$149,457
2025 BLS Actual
$179,321
2026 Current Est.
$185,059
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Oakland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $149,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $153,154 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $157,237 | Actual |
| 2023 | $165,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,758 | Actual |
| 2025 | $179,321 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $185,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $190,981 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakland metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $149,457 (2019) to $179,321 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $190,981 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,524 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland 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) | $107,334 – $134,356 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,356 – $185,059 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $185,059 – $236,876 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $236,876 – $286,842 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Oakland
In Oakland, the localized job market features around 78 actuaries, which helps maintain a steady demand for professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, actuaries need to consider how this affects their take-home pay in the region. Employers in life insurance (e.g., Prudential and MetLife) and property & casualty firms (like State Farm and Progressive) provide competitive compensation, but consulting roles often outpace these in salary. Differences in pay can arise due to various factors, including the rigorous exam progression where salary increases correlate with passing each exam. The pursuit of fellowships adds significant value; those holding FSA or FCAS credentials can capitalize on higher pay, especially in specialty markets. To maximize compensation as an actuary in Oakland, professionals should focus on continuous education, networking with local firms, and enhancing skills in predictive analytics and data science, all of which are increasingly valuable in driving higher salaries.
More salary data for Oakland, 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 $179,321 for actuariesin the Oakland 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 Oakland 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