Actuary Pay

Mount Vernon vs Tacoma: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Mount Vernon, WA and Tacoma, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mount Vernon, WA
$140,162
$67.39/hr
Tacoma, WA
$136,712
$65.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMount Vernon, WATacoma, WA
Median Salary$140,162$136,712
Hourly Rate$67.39$65.73
Entry Level (P10)$82,735$80,767
25th Percentile$111,010$100,946
75th Percentile$179,407$174,991
Top Earner (P90)$217,251$211,904
Total Employed656
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mount Vernon ($140,162) and Tacoma ($136,712) actuary salaries.Mount VernonTacomaMedian Salary$140,162$136,712Entry Level (P10)$82,735$80,767Top Earner (P90)$217,251$211,904US Median $134,160

Verdict

Mount Vernon, WA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tacoma.

The salary gap between Mount Vernon and Tacoma is $3,450 (2.52%). Mount Vernon's median is +4.47% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mount Vernon spans $134,516,Tacoma spans $131,137. Mount Vernon has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mount Vernon
P10 (Entry)$82,735
P25$111,010
Median$140,162
P75$179,407
P90 (Top)$217,251
Tacoma
P10 (Entry)$80,767
P25$100,946
Median$136,712
P75$174,991
P90 (Top)$211,904

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Vernon ($130,505 effective) pays 2.52% more than Tacoma ($127,292 effective).

Mount Vernon
Nominal: $140,162
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $130,505
Tacoma
Nominal: $136,712
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $127,292

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mount Vernon if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,162/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($217,251)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $130,505)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tacoma if…

  • Larger job market (56 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Mount Vernon grew -1.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -7.7% growth in Tacoma over the same period.

Mount Vernon, WA

+-1.5%

$137,906 (2024) → $135,816 (2025)

Tacoma, WA

+-7.7%

$143,585 (2024) → $132,473 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Mount Vernon or Tacoma?

Mount Vernon has a higher median actuary salary at $140,162/year, compared to Tacoma at $136,712/year — a difference of $3,450 (2.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mount Vernon and Tacoma?

Mount Vernon actuarys earn $67.39/hr while Tacoma hygienists earn $65.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mount Vernon to Tacoma as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mount Vernon and Tacoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mount Vernon = $130,505, Tacoma = $127,292), job availability (6 vs 56 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Mount Vernon vs Tacoma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $82,735 in Mount Vernon and $80,767 in Tacoma. The Mount Vernon area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov