Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Bend, OR: $85,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Bend, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,375 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bend's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,212 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,958) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Bend, Oregon, the starting actuary salary is projected at around $85,375 in 2026. This figure is substantially lower than the median annual salary of $134,958 for actuaries in the area, indicating that entry-level positions can initially present a significant pay gap. However, by gaining experience and passing exams, entry-level actuaries can realistically expect their salary to rise over the first few years, with growth potential reaching $103,252 at the 25th percentile. Given the city’s current demand for actuarial professionals and its steady growth rate of 3.20% annually, Bend can be considered a favorable market for new graduates eager to launch their careers in this specialized field.
About the Bend Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bend
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
Entry-level actuarys in Bend, OR typically start between $85,375 and $103,252 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $123,809 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,958 — 0.59% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oregon of $58,000 represents just 67.94% of the starting actuary pay ($85,375/year) in Bend. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Bend
- 1Research the Bend market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $85,375 to $103,252, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bend, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Bend for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bend's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Bend is $123,809 ( 145.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,375, experienced hygienists can earn up to $209,184.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,292
2025 BLS Actual
$82,728
2026 Current Est.
$85,375
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,292 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,524 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,608 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,883 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,107 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Bend, OR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,292 in 2019 to $82,728 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $88,107. New graduates entering the Bend job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Bend
Employers in Bend that are recruiting entry-level actuaries include major life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, as well as consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer. These organizations often have campus pipelines and structured training programs aimed at hiring new actuarial talent. To enhance their starting pay, graduates should focus on obtaining relevant credentials, such as a Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, or finance, while preparing for the initial actuarial exams. The progression from Associate (ASA) to Fellow (FSA) significantly impacts compensation; each passed exam typically adds $3,000 to $8,000 to a base salary, making exam progress the primary driver of growth. New hires can expect realistic salary increases in their first three years as they navigate the examination process, with consulting firms offering particularly competitive salaries for fully credentialed actuaries. In this dynamic environment, a strong emphasis on predictive analytics and data science skills will likely become increasingly necessary to meet industry demands.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is actuarial science school worth it in Bend?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Bend. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bend is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov