California Median
$130,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $130,000
State Rank
#13 of 36
1,280 employed here
How much does an Actuary make in California?
An Actuary working in California earns a median salary of $130,510 per year, or about $62.75 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $130,000 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $83,510 while the top 10% make $219,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $101,600 and $188,390 a year.
Actuary salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,510 | $40.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $101,600 | $48.85 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $130,510 | $62.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $188,390 | $90.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $219,490 | $105.52 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 13th out of 36 states and territories for Actuary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Actuary salary in other states
Connecticut $166,800District of Columbia $166,230New York $156,480New Jersey $142,800Alabama $136,950Arizona $135,870Washington $134,720Utah $132,720Nevada $132,370Florida $132,110Virginia $131,900Wisconsin $131,640Oregon $130,380Missouri $129,220North Carolina $128,730Iowa $128,690Minnesota $128,100Maryland $126,950Massachusetts $126,040Pennsylvania $125,040Kansas $125,010Colorado $120,440Kentucky $120,400Maine $119,620Illinois $115,430Rhode Island $111,090Ohio $110,980Oklahoma $109,760Tennessee $108,930Mississippi $106,210Texas $105,020Nebraska $102,790Indiana $100,690Michigan $100,640Louisiana $80,860
Working as an Actuary in California
Nationally, about 27,000 people work as Actuaries in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($130,510) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Actuary make in California?
The median Actuary salary in California is $130,510 per year, or about $62.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,510 at the entry level to $219,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Actuaries about 0% more than the national median of $130,000. California ranks 13th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Actuaries?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,510 a year. About 1,280 Actuaries are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Actuary salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.