Actuary Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $66.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Santa Clara, CA runs $66.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,500 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,505 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clara, California, the median actuary hourly pay reaches $66.11, which is slightly above the national median of $64.50. This competitive hourly rate provides a solid income for both part-time professionals and per-diem workers, particularly within the dynamic environments of insurance companies and consulting firms. Part-time actuaries working three days a week could earn a significant income, benefiting from various roles such as actuarial pricing departments and client engagement teams. The hourly pay range spans from $38.56 at the entry-level (P10) to $102.47 for top earners (P90), indicating a robust earning potential for both early-career and seasoned professionals in this field. It’s important to note that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, offering valuable insights into the local market dynamics for actuaries in Santa Clara.
About the Santa Clara Market
Salary estimated from California average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.56 | $308.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.72 | $405.78 |
| Median (P50) | $66.11 | $528.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.61 | $676.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.47 | $819.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $66.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.11/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $137,509 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,332. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,644.40 | $11,459 | $137,509 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,586.64 | $6,875 | $82,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,057.76 | $4,584 | $55,003 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Santa Clara) | $66.11 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Santa Clara, CA earn a median of $137,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.49% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 5.70% above the California state average of $130,085.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.11/hr = $82,505/year (purchasing power: $72,949).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,509/year (purchasing power: $121,581).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Santa Clara grew 20.0% from $53.39/hr (2019) to $64.06/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clara 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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Santa Clara
For those considering a part-time actuarial career in Santa Clara, working three days a week typically translates to an annual income of approximately $82,000, substantially less than full-time earnings yet still appealing for flexibility. Per-diem or agency work in the actuarial field tends to be more common among those with advanced credentials, such as FSAs or FCAS, who can command billing rates between $250 and $500 per hour. Interestingly, more specialized roles, such as expert witness testimonies in insurance litigation, can bring in hourly wages ranging from $400 to $800. Santa Clara hosts diverse insurance employers, from life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife to consulting giants such as Mercer and Aon, where hourly rates can vary significantly. Some professionals may choose positions with slightly lower hourly pay for the added benefits of health insurance, reflecting a vital trade-off in this market. Actuaries negotiating their hourly rates should emphasize their exam progress, including ASA to FSA timelines, as this often contributes to compensation enhancements and may support favorable negotiation outcomes.
More salary data for Santa Clara, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for actuaries in Santa Clara 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Santa Clara. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Santa Clara 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