Senior Actuary Salary in Vacaville, CA: $201,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Vacaville, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $201,218/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Vacaville's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $177,912 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
Examining the compensation landscape for seasoned professionals in Vacaville, California reveals substantial earning potential for experienced actuaries. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $129,818, yet top earners in this market can command as much as $201,218, showing a significant gap that underlines the value of extensive experience and specialized skills. The dynamic between median and top-tier pay illustrates the competitive nature of the actuarial profession, particularly as those with seven or more years of experience advance in their careers. Achieving such leadership positions often requires not just technical skills, but also a strategic approach to career development, including passing actuarial exams and gaining relevant credentials, which ultimately lead to increased earning potential.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Vacaville earn between $166,167 and $201,218 per year (2026 est.). This $121,176 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Vacaville median of $129,818 sits 3.24% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Vacaville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $129,818 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $166,167 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $201,218 | $221,983 |
In Vacaville, 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 Vacaville
Advanced Certifications in California
CA actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $129,818 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Vacaville employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Vacaville command premium compensation, often reaching the $166,167–$201,218 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Vacaville metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Vacaville 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 Vacaville
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedVacaville ranks #85 of 156 California cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $201,218).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Vacaville ($201,218) is 4.13% below the California average P90 ($209,891).
2019 BLS Actual
$175,490
2025 BLS Actual
$194,979
2026 Current Est.
$201,218
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $175,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $177,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $187,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $180,657 | Actual |
| 2023 | $189,731 | Actual |
| 2024 | $258,912 | Actual |
| 2025 | $194,979 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $201,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $207,657 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Vacaville saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $175,490 in 2019 to $194,979 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 $207,657 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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 Vacaville
In Vacaville, certain specializations can significantly elevate an actuary's earning potential, particularly in areas such as life and annuity, health, and predictive analytics. When considering the types of employers, senior actuaries affiliated with life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife typically experience different compensation structures compared to their counterparts in managed care firms like UnitedHealth and Cigna. The potential for advancement is notable, with pathways from actuarial analyst to leadership roles such as chief actuary requiring dedication to the ASA-to-FSA examination journey, which can take several years. Advanced credentials like ASA, FSA, and FCAS are highly sought after, making them key drivers of salary growth in California. Furthermore, non-salary compensation elements, including bonuses for exam completion and study time benefits, can deliver significant financial uplift, influencing the overall senior actuary pay in CA. As Vacaville's actuarial professionals continue to evolve within this competitive field, the intersection of specialization, employer type, and credentialing will play a central role in determining their future earnings.
More salary data for Vacaville, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Vacaville in 2026?
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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 $194,979 for actuaries in the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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