Actuary Salary in Riverside, CA: $128,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Riverside, CA earns a median $128,112/year (≈ $61.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $120,359 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, actuaries can anticipate a median annual salary of $128,112 in 2026, a figure slightly below the national median of $134,160. The compensation range for this role varies significantly; those in the 10th percentile earn around $85,367, while top earners in the 90th percentile can make up to $199,207. These salary expectations, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect the local dynamics between consulting firms and insurance companies. Consulting roles, often associated with organizations such as Milliman, Mercer, and WTW, typically offer higher pay at the Fellow level compared to traditional insurance positions, making the market competitive for credentialed actuaries in Riverside.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,367 | $41.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,142 | $51.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,112 | $61.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,038 | $70.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,207 | $95.77 |
Median Salary Position
4.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,840 (2026 est.). At $128,112, the local median is 4.51% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Actuary Pay Compares
Riverside median: $128,112/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,063 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -4.51% less |
Actuarys in Riverside, CA earn a median of $128,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.51% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.50% below the California state average of $130,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,112 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,359 — a 6.05% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$103,466
2025 BLS Actual
$124,140
2026 Current Est.
$128,112
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,466 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,025 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,852 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,212 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $103,466 (2019) to $124,140 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,212 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,746 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $85,367 – $107,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,142 – $128,112 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,112 – $146,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,038 – $199,207 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Riverside
With only 40 actuaries currently employed in this area, the job market presents unique opportunities shaped by a relatively high cost of living index of 106.442, which impacts the take-home purchasing power for professionals in the region. Major employers that tend to offer more competitive salaries include life insurance firms like Prudential and health insurance companies such as UnitedHealth and Cigna. The substantial spectrum between the lower and higher end of salaries frequently aligns with the progression of actuarial exams and the attainment of credentials like ASA and FSA. Continuous professional development—through passing exams and acquiring specialized skills—can lead to significant pay increases. Therefore, aspiring actuaries in Riverside, CA, should focus on advancing their qualifications and consider targeted opportunities with consulting firms to maximize their compensation potential.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Riverside, CA in 2026?
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Riverside?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Riverside?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Riverside?
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $124,140 for actuariesin the Riverside metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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