Actuary Salary in San Francisco, CA: $180,941 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in San Francisco, CA earns a median $180,941/year (≈ $86.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $156,506 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 39.1% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, actuaries earn a substantial median annual salary of $180,941, significantly above the national average of $134,160. This city offers a salary range that varies from $96,874 at the lower end to an impressive $239,651 for those at the high end of the spectrum. The data reflected here is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW typically provide higher compensation levels compared to traditional insurers, especially for actuaries with Fellowship credentials. With the significant pay gradient observed in these industries, it's clear that the local job market has strong demand for skilled actuaries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,874 | $46.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,337 | $60.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $180,941 | $86.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $221,116 | $106.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,651 | $115.22 |
Median Salary Position
34.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,777 (2026 est.). At $180,941, the local median is 34.87% above the national median of $134,160.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Actuary Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $180,941/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,079 | +39.10% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +34.87% more |
Actuarys in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $180,941 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.87% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 39.10% above the California state average of $130,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $180,941 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,506 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,520
2025 BLS Actual
$175,330
2026 Current Est.
$180,941
2019–2027 Growth
+72.1%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $175,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $180,941 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,731 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 61.6% from $108,520 (2019) to $175,330 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $186,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $78,211 (72.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $96,874 – $126,337 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,337 – $180,941 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $180,941 – $221,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $221,116 – $239,651 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in San Francisco
Currently, San Francisco employs approximately 220 actuaries, contributing to a robust local job market that is continually evolving. The cost of living in the area, highlighted by a cost-of-living index of 115.613, affects take-home pay, necessitating strategic career planning for actuaries. Key employers, such as health insurance companies and leading consulting firms, often pay the most, with life and property & casualty insurers trailing slightly behind. The wide pay variance can be attributed to multiple factors, including exam progressions where each passed exam typically increases pay by $3,000 to $8,000. The jump from Associate to Fellow status also plays a critical role, influencing specialty markets where consulting, particularly in reinsurance or predictive analytics, tends to command the highest salaries. Actuaries looking to maximize their pay in San Francisco should consider specializing in these lucrative areas, while also pursuing additional certifications and skills that enhance their value in this competitive market.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $175,330 for actuariesin the San Francisco 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