Actuary Salary in Santa Ana, CA: $137,834 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Santa Ana, CA earns a median $137,834/year (≈ $66.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Santa Ana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $121,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Santa Ana, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $137,834, reflecting a competitive edge over the national figure of $134,160. This market serves a diverse range of specialties, with some actuaries focused on life, health, and pension roles under the Society of Actuaries (SOA), while others align with property and casualty segments through the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). The local salary spectrum ranges from $79,944 at the 10th percentile to $213,643 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the dynamic aspects of the Santa Ana job market, which is characterized by both robust compensation and significant opportunities for professionals at various stages of their careers.
About the Santa Ana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,944 | $38.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,240 | $47.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,834 | $66.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,428 | $84.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,643 | $102.71 |
Median Salary Position
2.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Ana
In Santa Ana, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,699 (2026 est.). At $137,834, the local median is 2.74% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Ana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Ana Actuary Pay Compares
Santa Ana median: $137,834/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Ana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,032 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +2.74% more |
Actuarys in Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $137,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.74% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 6.00% above the California state average of $130,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Ana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Ana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,834 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,869 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,317
2025 BLS Actual
$133,560
2026 Current Est.
$137,834
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,317 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,112 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,286 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,353 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,834 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,245 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Ana metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $111,317 (2019) to $133,560 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,928 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Ana 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) | $79,944 – $99,240 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,240 – $137,834 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,834 – $176,428 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,428 – $213,643 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Santa Ana
With 69 actuaries currently employed in Santa Ana, the local job market is both supportive and competitive. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries might be higher than average, the purchasing power for take-home pay may be impacted by elevated living expenses. Employers like Prudential and UnitedHealth typically offer some of the highest wages, especially for those with the Fellowship designation (FSA/FCAS) or extensive experience in consulting firms like Mercer and Aon. The distinction in compensation often hinges on exam progression—the completion of each exam can yield a salary increase of $3,000 to $8,000. Therefore, aspiring actuaries seeking to maximize their pay should prioritize passing exams, enhancing their skillsets with in-demand competencies, and exploring various sector opportunities within the thriving Santa Ana market.
More salary data for Santa Ana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $133,560 for actuariesin the Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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