Actuary Pay

Spokane Valley vs Tacoma: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Spokane Valley, WA
$148,328
$71.31/hr
Tacoma, WA
$136,712
$65.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane Valley, WATacoma, WA
Median Salary$148,328$136,712
Hourly Rate$71.31$65.73
Entry Level (P10)$87,080$80,767
25th Percentile$108,641$100,946
75th Percentile$189,860$174,991
Top Earner (P90)$229,909$211,904
Total Employed2156
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane Valley ($148,328) and Tacoma ($136,712) actuary salaries.Spokane ValleyTacomaMedian Salary$148,328$136,712Entry Level (P10)$87,080$80,767Top Earner (P90)$229,909$211,904US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Spokane Valley and Tacoma is $11,616 (8.50%). Spokane Valley's median is +10.56% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane Valley spans $142,829,Tacoma spans $131,137. Spokane Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Spokane Valley
P10 (Entry)$87,080
P25$108,641
Median$148,328
P75$189,860
P90 (Top)$229,909
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, Spokane Valley ($138,108 effective) pays 8.50% more than Tacoma ($127,292 effective).

Spokane Valley
Nominal: $148,328
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $138,108
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 Spokane Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($148,328/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($229,909)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $138,108)
  • 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 Spokane Valley grew -1.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -7.7% growth in Tacoma over the same period.

Spokane Valley, WA

+-1.5%

$145,941 (2024) → $143,729 (2025)

Tacoma, WA

+-7.7%

$143,585 (2024) → $132,473 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Spokane Valley or Tacoma?

Spokane Valley has a higher median actuary salary at $148,328/year, compared to Tacoma at $136,712/year — a difference of $11,616 (8.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane Valley and Tacoma?

Spokane Valley actuarys earn $71.31/hr while Tacoma hygienists earn $65.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Spokane Valley to Tacoma as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane Valley and Tacoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane Valley = $138,108, Tacoma = $127,292), job availability (21 vs 56 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Spokane Valley vs Tacoma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $87,080 in Spokane Valley and $80,767 in Tacoma. The Spokane Valley 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