Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$106,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$94,643 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$83,384 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $106,000 | $154,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,620 | $118,580▲ | -$36,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,680 | $197,120▲ | -$61,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,600 | $246,400▲ | -$76,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,643▲ | $82,796 | +$11,847 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,390 | $129,062▲ | -$35,672 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,384▲ | $69,388 | +$13,996 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 41,600 | -27,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $48,000 more (median: $106,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($94,643 vs $82,796 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.