Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Pittsburgh, PA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$97,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$107,778 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$96,529 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $97,000 | $154,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,690 | $118,580▲ | -$43,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,160 | $197,120▲ | -$72,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,200 | $246,400▲ | -$91,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 9.3% | -6.23% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,778▲ | $82,796 | +$24,982 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,876 | $129,062▲ | -$42,186 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,529▲ | $69,388 | +$27,141 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 41,600 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $57,000 more (median: $97,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($107,778 vs $82,796 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% 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.