Actuary Salary in Santa Clara, CA: $137,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Santa Clara, CA earns a median $137,500/year (≈ $66.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Santa Clara's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $121,574 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of the latest projections for 2026, actuaries in Santa Clara, California, can expect a median annual salary of $137,500, which reflects a slight increase over the national median of $134,160. The salary range from entry-level to top earners varies significantly, with starting salaries at $80,187 and reaching up to $213,125 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, consider local market factors and regional cost adjustments. Actuaries here benefit from a vibrant job market, driven by the presence of major companies in sectors such as finance, insurance, and consulting, making Santa Clara an attractive location for professionals in this field.
About the Santa Clara Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,187 | $38.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,493 | $50.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,500 | $66.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,999 | $84.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,125 | $102.47 |
Median Salary Position
2.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clara
In Santa Clara, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,938 (2026 est.). At $137,500, the local median is 2.49% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clara: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clara Actuary Pay Compares
Santa Clara median: $137,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clara Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,085 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +2.49% more |
Actuarys in Santa Clara, CA earn a median of $137,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.49% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 5.70% above the California state average of $130,085.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clara has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clara, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,500 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,574 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,047
2025 BLS Actual
$133,236
2026 Current Est.
$137,500
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,047 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,794 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,536 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,827 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,987 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,895 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clara metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $111,047 (2019) to $133,236 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,853 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clara 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) | $80,187 – $105,493 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,493 – $137,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,500 – $175,999 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,999 – $213,125 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Santa Clara
Attracting talent in Santa Clara is facilitated by the relatively robust job market, with 32 actuaries currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating higher living expenses than the national average, which can impact overall purchasing power. Among the top employers, both life insurance firms like Prudential and companies in health insurance such as UnitedHealth and Anthem typically offer competitive salaries. The disparity in pay often hinges on exam progression and specialty markets, with each passed exam resulting in a pay increase. To maximize potential earnings in Santa Clara, actuaries should focus on obtaining advanced credentials and consider roles in consulting or high-demand sectors like property and casualty insurance, where salaries are particularly favorable. Additionally, actively pursuing top-tier employers and furthering education in predictive analytics may enhance career prospects and salary outcomes.
More salary data for Santa Clara, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can actuaries make $100K in Santa Clara?
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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 $133,236 for actuariesin the Santa Clara 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 Clara 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