Actuary Salary in Santa Monica, CA: $131,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Santa Monica, CA earns a median $131,482/year (≈ $63.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Santa Monica's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $116,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Santa Monica, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $131,482 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $134,160. The salary range spans from $78,952 at the 10th percentile to $203,797 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential dependent on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost of living. Notably, the job market for actuaries in Santa Monica is competitive, reflecting the city's position as a hub for several prominent insurance and consulting firms that bolster salary prospects for qualified professionals.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,952 | $37.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,525 | $46.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,482 | $63.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,296 | $80.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,797 | $97.98 |
Median Salary Position
2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,845 (2026 est.). At $131,482, the local median is 2% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Monica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Monica Actuary Pay Compares
Santa Monica median: $131,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Monica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,051 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -2.00% less |
Actuarys in Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $131,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.10% above the California state average of $130,051.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Monica has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Monica, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,482 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,253 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$106,187
2025 BLS Actual
$127,405
2026 Current Est.
$131,482
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,187 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,814 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,786 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,715 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,605 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,405 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,689 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Monica metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $106,187 (2019) to $127,405 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,502 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Monica 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) | $78,952 – $97,525 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,525 – $131,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,482 – $168,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,296 – $203,797 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Santa Monica
As of 2026, around 20 actuaries are employed in Santa Monica, and the cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating that professionals will need to account for higher living expenses in this coastal city. Among local employers, consulting firms such as Mercer and Aon significantly contribute to higher compensation, often favoring candidates with advanced credentials like FSA or FCAS. The wide salary range reflects numerous factors, including exam progression, specialization areas, and differing employer payscales across life, health, and property & casualty insurance sectors. To maximize earning potential in Santa Monica, aspiring actuaries should focus on achieving credentials quickly, seek out opportunities with firms that reward exam progress with salary increases, and consider developing skills in data analytics, which are increasingly sought after in the industry.
More salary data for Santa Monica, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Santa Monica, CA in 2026?
Is Santa Monica, CA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Santa Monica?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Santa Monica?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Santa Monica?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $127,405 for actuariesin the Santa Monica 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 Monica 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