Actuary Salary in San Marcos, TX: $129,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in San Marcos, TX earns a median $129,421/year (≈ $62.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in San Marcos's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $134,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, actuary salaries in San Marcos, TX, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $129,421, slightly below the national average of $134,160. The salary range for this profession extends from $77,814 at the 10th percentile to $200,602 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. This local compensation framework highlights a diverse earning potential within the market, influenced by factors such as exam progression and credential levels. San Marcos hosts a relatively small pool of 13 actuaries, suggesting a niche but stable job market for aspiring professionals looking to establish their careers in the area.
About the San Marcos Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,814 | $37.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,369 | $46.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,421 | $62.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,659 | $79.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,602 | $96.44 |
Median Salary Position
3.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Marcos
In San Marcos, TX, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,788 (2026 est.). At $129,421, the local median is 3.53% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Marcos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Marcos Actuary Pay Compares
San Marcos median: $129,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Marcos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $128,777 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -3.53% less |
Actuarys in San Marcos, TX earn a median of $129,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.53% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.50% above the Texas state average of $128,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Marcos has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Marcos, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $129,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,523
2025 BLS Actual
$125,408
2026 Current Est.
$129,421
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,523 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,108 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,159 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,488 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,563 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Marcos metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $104,523 (2019) to $125,408 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,563 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,040 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Marcos 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) | $77,814 – $96,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,369 – $129,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,421 – $165,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,659 – $200,602 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in San Marcos
The cost of living index in San Marcos is 96, below the national average, indicating that actuaries can enjoy greater purchasing power despite slightly lower salaries than the broader market averages. Notably, employers such as life insurance companies, health insurance firms, and consulting organizations are some of the largest payers for this profession, with firms like Mercer and Aon recognized for offering enhanced compensation packages for credentialed professionals. The discrepancy in salary levels often stems from exam progression where each passed exam can add $3,000 to $8,000 to an actuary’s base pay, alongside higher earnings for Fellows of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Those looking to thrive in San Marcos should focus on passing exams and gaining specialized skills in predictive analytics, as these competencies are increasingly sought after, providing avenues for salary maximization.
More salary data for San Marcos, TX:
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 $125,408 for actuariesin the San Marcos 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 San Marcos 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