Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$132,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$76,301 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$63,945 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $154,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $101,640 | $118,580▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,960 | $197,120▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,200 | $246,400▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,301 | $82,796▲ | -$6,495 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,625 | $129,062▲ | -$18,437 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,945 | $69,388▲ | -$5,443 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 41,600 | -3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $22,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($76,301 vs $82,796 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.