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.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs San Jose, CA | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA (this guide) | $173,139 | Baseline | Local 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 |
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.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Actuary | 0-2 years | $115,986 | $111,993 - $173,139 | -8% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Actuary | 3-5 years | $173,139 | $115,986 - $233,003 | +38% vs U.S. |
| Senior Actuary | 6-10 years | $233,003 | $173,139 - $295,914 | +85% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Actuary | 10+ years | $295,914 | $233,003 - $361,015 | +135% vs U.S. |
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.
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.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other Services Except Public Administration | $170,660 | $59,670.0 - N/A | Stronger salary |
| Information | $162,770 | $106,710 - $163,740 | Stronger salary |
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services | $146,130 | $84,250.0 - $158,760 | Stronger salary |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $133,030 | $78,720.0 - $212,960 | Competitive |
| Finance and Insurance | $126,830 | $77,780.0 - $204,730 | Competitive |
| Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $118,910 | $59,200.0 - $181,210 | Competitive |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $111,640 | $64,190.0 - $218,790 | Competitive |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $107,810 | $59,600.0 - $181,210 | Competitive |
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.
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.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $169,676 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $176,602 | Metro dependent | San Jose, CA employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $173,139 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
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.
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.
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.
Actuary Salary Trends in San Jose, CA Over Time
Historical salary trend data for Actuary in San Jose, CA is available across multiple BLS wage years. The chart below shows how the local salary benchmark has changed over time.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($153K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
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.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 33.6k → 40.9k |
| Typical education | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Related experience | A 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 anchor | 300 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.
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.
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?⌄
What is the entry-level Actuaries salary?⌄
How much can senior Actuaries professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Actuaries salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Actuaries salary growth?⌄
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.