Actuary Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $130,102 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $130,102/year (≈ $62.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $115,033 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median actuary salary in Santa Maria, California is projected at $130,102, slightly below the national median of $134,160. The full salary range for this profession in the area spans from $80,657 at the 10th percentile to $201,658 at the 90th percentile. These figures, developed from state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and adjusted for local cost variations, reflect the career's demand within the Southern California market. Opting for the right specialty, such as life and health through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or property and casualty via the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), can significantly influence earnings. With actuaries concentrated in specific sectors, understanding the local landscape can provide insights into potential job opportunities and salary ranges.
About the Santa Maria Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,657 | $38.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,531 | $47.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,102 | $62.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,531 | $80.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,658 | $96.95 |
Median Salary Position
3.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,001 (2026 est.). At $130,102, the local median is 3.02% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Maria Actuary Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $130,102/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $134,160 | -3.02% less |
Actuarys in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $130,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.02% lower than the national median of $134,160.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $130,102 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $115,033 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,073
2025 BLS Actual
$126,068
2026 Current Est.
$130,102
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,073 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,672 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,697 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,542 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,068 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,102 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,265 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $105,073 (2019) to $126,068 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,265 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,192 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $80,657 – $98,531 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,531 – $130,102 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,102 – $166,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,531 – $201,658 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Santa Maria
Among the 16 actuaries employed in Santa Maria, the local job market is bolstered by an average cost of living index of 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may be impacted. Major employers in the area include life and health insurers like UnitedHealth and Prudential, alongside property and casualty firms such as State Farm and Progressive. Salary variations arise from factors such as exam progression—where each passed actuarial exam can increase pay by thousands—and the credential level achieved, with top employers offering better compensation packages to fully credentialed FSAs or FCAS. Additionally, firms often provide valuable study time benefits and bonuses contingent upon completion of professional exams. To maximize pay in Santa Maria, budding actuaries should strategically consider their specialty focus and target sectors likely to offer the highest compensation, including consulting firms that seek skilled credentialed individuals.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 $126,068 for actuariesin the Santa Maria 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 Maria 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