Senior Actuary Salary in Lakewood, CA: $196,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Lakewood, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $196,516/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Lakewood's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $173,754 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
In Lakewood, California, the potential for high earnings as a seasoned actuary is substantial, with the top earners (P90) projected to take home $196,516 annually in 2026. This figure highlights an impressive gap when compared to the median salary of $126,784 for experienced actuaries in the area. The robust earning potential indicates that advancing to senior-level roles requires not just extensive experience, typically over seven years, but also specialized skills in areas such as capital modeling or predictive analytics. To reach these peak salary tiers, actuaries often pursue additional credentials like the Fellowship (FSA or FCAS) from respective bodies, which elevates their profiles in the competitive Lakewood market and enriches their compensation prospects further.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Lakewood earn between $162,284 and $196,516 per year (2026 est.). This $117,512 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Lakewood median of $126,784 sits 5.5% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Lakewood | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $126,784 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,284 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $196,516 | $221,983 |
In Lakewood, 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 Lakewood
Advanced Certifications in California
CA actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $126,784 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Lakewood employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Lakewood command premium compensation, often reaching the $162,284–$196,516 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Lakewood metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedLakewood ranks #136 of 156 California cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $196,516).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Lakewood ($196,516) is 6.37% below the California average P90 ($209,891).
2019 BLS Actual
$171,389
2025 BLS Actual
$190,422
2026 Current Est.
$196,516
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $171,389 | Actual |
| 2020 | $173,522 | Actual |
| 2021 | $183,092 | Actual |
| 2022 | $176,435 | Actual |
| 2023 | $185,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $252,861 | Actual |
| 2025 | $190,422 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $196,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $202,804 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Lakewood saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $171,389 in 2019 to $190,422 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 $202,804 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Compensation at the senior level varies significantly depending on the employer type in Lakewood. For instance, life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife tend to offer salaries that reflect their specific actuarial needs, while health insurers like UnitedHealth and Cigna may provide different pay scales rooted in their operational frameworks. Senior actuaries specializing in property and casualty can command higher compensation from firms like State Farm and Progressive. Furthermore, advancement is linked to achieving higher qualifications through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), with each passed exam translating to a potential $3,000 to $8,000 pay increase. The journey from actuarial analyst to chief actuary or consulting practice principal entails a clear path marked by obtaining Associate status (ASA) before progressing to Fellow status (FSA), with additional boosts in salary tied to advanced credentials and specialties preferred by employers in Lakewood's insurance and consulting sectors.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Lakewood in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Lakewood?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Lakewood?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Lakewood?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Lakewood?
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
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 $190,422 for actuaries in the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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