US
San Jose, CA
California salary market
$173K
Avg / Year
+38% vs U.S.
vs National
300
Employment
$14.4K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Actuary Salary in San Jose, CA (2026)

The Actuary salary in San Jose, CA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the San Jose, CA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024San Jose, CA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$173K
per year
Entry Level
$112K
starting range
Senior Level
$233K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$177K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$14.4K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$73
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Actuary Salary Overview in San Jose, CA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Actuary pay in San Jose, CA at about $173,139 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $98,740.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about N/A.

Salary estimates are based on data from the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara.

If you’re comparing Actuary salaries in San Jose, CA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

San Jose, CA vs. U.S. National Average

San Jose, CA pays +38% vs u.s. for Actuary roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$126K
all U.S. markets combined
+38%
San Jose, CA Premium
San Jose, CA City Average
$173K
Actuary
MarketProjected Salaryvs San Jose, CAMarket Maturity
San Jose, CA (this guide)$173,139BaselineLocal market
United States$125,770-27% vs U.S.National baseline
San Francisco, CA$136,410-21% vs U.S.Comparable city
Los Angeles, CA$122,520-29% vs U.S.Comparable city
Oxnard, CA$119,410-31% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why San Jose, CA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Actuary Salary by Experience Level in San Jose, CA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In San Jose, CA, this breakdown shows how aActuary can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$116K
$83/hr median equivalent
$112K - $173K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$173K
$83/hr median equivalent
$116K - $233K
Senior
6-10 years
$233K
$83/hr median equivalent
$173K - $296K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$296K
$83/hr median equivalent
$233K - $361K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Actuary0-2 years$115,986$111,993 - $173,139-8% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Actuary3-5 years$173,139$115,986 - $233,003+38% vs U.S.
Senior Actuary6-10 years$233,003$173,139 - $295,914+85% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Actuary10+ years$295,914$233,003 - $361,015+135% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near San Jose, CA

Nearby metro areas help show how Actuary pay changes around San Jose, CA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
San Jose, CA
$173K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara.
This guide
#2
San Francisco, CA
$136K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Actuary salaries around San Jose, CA.
-21% vs U.S.
#3
Los Angeles, CA
$123K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Actuary salaries around San Jose, CA.
-29% vs U.S.
#4
Oxnard, CA
$119K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Actuary salaries around San Jose, CA.
-31% vs U.S.
#5
Sacramento, CA
$113K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Actuary salaries around San Jose, CA.
-35% vs U.S.

Actuary Salary by Industry in San Jose, CA

Industry premiums in San Jose, CA usually come from employers that place the Actuary role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Other Services Except Public Administration$170,660$59,670.0 - N/AStronger salary
Information$162,770$106,710 - $163,740Stronger salary
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services$146,130$84,250.0 - $158,760Stronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$133,030$78,720.0 - $212,960Competitive
Finance and Insurance$126,830$77,780.0 - $204,730Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$118,910$59,200.0 - $181,210Competitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$111,640$64,190.0 - $218,790Competitive
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$107,810$59,600.0 - $181,210Competitive

Entry-Level Actuary Salary in San Jose, CA

Entry-level Actuary jobs in San Jose, CA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Actuary salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Actuary roles in San Jose, CA is about $115,986.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Actuary Pay in San Jose, CA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Actuary candidates in San Jose, CA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$173,139
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$176,602
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$169,676Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$176,602Metro dependentSan Jose, CA employersMedium
Onsite$173,139Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in San Jose, CA

A salary in San Jose, CA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$2.3K
$3.2K
$4.0K
Transport / commute
$505.0
$577.1
$649.3
Food and groceries
$1.1K
$1.2K
$1.3K
Utilities and internet
$505.0
$577.1
$649.3
Estimated remainder
$4.9K
$7.5K
$9.2K
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Top Employers Hiring Actuarys in San Jose, CA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Actuary pay tends to be strongest in San Jose, CA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Other Services Except Public Administration employers
$171K
Industry benchmark for Actuary roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Information employers
$163K
Industry benchmark for Actuary roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services employers
$146K
Industry benchmark for Actuary roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$133K
Industry benchmark for Actuary roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Finance and Insurance employers
$127K
Industry benchmark for Actuary roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$119K
Industry benchmark for Actuary roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

San Jose, CA Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherSan Jose, CA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Actuary work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

San Jose, CA
This guide
$173K
Baseline
San Francisco, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$136K
-21% vs U.S.
Los Angeles, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$123K
-29% vs U.S.
Oxnard, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$119K
-31% vs U.S.
Sacramento, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$113K
-35% vs U.S.
Riverside, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$104K
-40% vs U.S.
San Diego, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$102K
-41% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in San Jose, CA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$72.9K - $98.1K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$90.6K - $120K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$113K - $141K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$136K - $176K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$161K - $204K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$189K - $258K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 21.8% from 2024 to 2034.
Much faster than averageAnnual openings: 2.4 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment33.6k → 40.9k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor300 jobs with a median of $173,139

Factors Affecting Actuary Salary in San Jose, CA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Actuary Salary in San Jose, CA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Actuary Salary in San Jose, CA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Actuary" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Actuaries salary?
The latest national baseline for Actuaries is about $125,800 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Actuaries salary?
Entry-level estimates for Actuaries are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $75,200 per year nationally.
How much can senior Actuaries professionals earn?
Senior Actuaries estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $164,900 per year nationally.
Does location affect Actuaries salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Actuaries salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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