Senior Actuary Salary in Burbank, CA: $199,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Burbank, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $199,148/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Burbank's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $176,081 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Burbank, California, presents a promising landscape for experienced actuaries, with top-tier salaries reflecting the high demand for seasoned professionals in the field. In 2026, those at the high end can anticipate earnings around $199,148, significantly outpacing the median salary of $128,483. This remarkable salary spectrum highlights the experience premium that seasoned actuaries can command, showcasing a pronounced gap between general practitioners and elite earners. Achieving such impressive compensation demands not only extensive expertise, typically over seven years, but also a network of industry connections and possibly advanced credentials. With the salary percentile dynamics in Burbank, astute professionals can plan their career trajectories strategically to capture these top actuary pay opportunities.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Burbank earn between $164,458 and $199,148 per year (2026 est.). This $124,628 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burbank median of $128,483 sits 4.23% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Burbank | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $128,483 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,458 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $199,148 | $221,983 |
In Burbank, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Burbank
Advanced Certifications in California
CA actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $128,483 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burbank employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Burbank command premium compensation, often reaching the $164,458–$199,148 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burbank metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Burbank with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Actuaries in California who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Actuary Career & Wage Growth Path in Burbank
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurbank ranks #109 of 156 California cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $199,148).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Burbank ($199,148) is 5.12% below the California average P90 ($209,891).
2019 BLS Actual
$173,685
2025 BLS Actual
$192,973
2026 Current Est.
$199,148
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $173,685 | Actual |
| 2020 | $175,847 | Actual |
| 2021 | $185,545 | Actual |
| 2022 | $178,798 | Actual |
| 2023 | $187,779 | Actual |
| 2024 | $256,249 | Actual |
| 2025 | $192,973 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $199,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $205,521 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Burbank saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $173,685 in 2019 to $192,973 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.20% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $205,521 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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.
Maximizing Your Actuary Earnings in Burbank
Specialized skills in areas like predictive analytics, capital modeling, and enterprise risk management increasingly redefine compensation in Burbank's actuarial market. Companies across different sectors, such as life insurers like Prudential and health management firms like UnitedHealth, often offer varying pay scales for senior actuaries depending on the complexity of the roles. Consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer generally pay a premium for actuaries with Fellowship credentials, further elevating career prospects. Leadership pathways—advancing from actuarial analyst to managing actuary or principal consultant—are common for those dedicated to ongoing education through the ASA-to-FSA exam progression. Furthermore, each passing exam often results in significant salary advancement, reflecting the value of advanced credentials like ASA and FSA in the competitive CA market. For senior actuaries in Burbank, the combination of hard-earned experience and targeted specialization not only enhances their earning potential but also shapes the future of their actuarial careers.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Burbank in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Burbank?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Burbank?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Burbank?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Burbank?
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $192,973 for actuaries in the Burbank metro area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burbank 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