Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Coos Bay, OR: $80,096 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Coos Bay, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,096 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coos Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $78,066 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,213) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates considering their first role as an actuary in Coos Bay, Oregon, should anticipate a starting salary of around $80,096 in 2026, significantly below the city's median of $130,213. This gap highlights the expected growth trajectory for new professionals. Over the initial 3-5 years, it is realistic to aim for salaries reaching approximately $102,390 as they gain experience and knowledge. Given these figures, Coos Bay offers a supportive market for new graduates, making it an inviting location for those embarking on their actuarial careers while presenting a clear pathway for salary advancement as entry-level professionals transition into more seasoned roles.
About the Coos Bay Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coos Bay
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 Coos Bay
Entry-level actuarys in Coos Bay, OR typically start between $80,096 and $102,390 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,733 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,213 — 2.94% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oregon of $58,000 represents just 72.41% of the starting actuary pay ($80,096/year) in Coos Bay. 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 Coos Bay
- 1Research the Coos Bay market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $80,096 to $102,390, 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 Coos Bay, 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 Coos Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coos Bay'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 Coos Bay is $121,733 ( 151.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,096, experienced hygienists can earn up to $201,829.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,069
2025 BLS Actual
$77,612
2026 Current Est.
$80,096
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Coos Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,489 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,885 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,461 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,061 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,612 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,096 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,659 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Coos Bay, OR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,069 in 2019 to $77,612 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,659. New graduates entering the Coos Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coos Bay 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 Coos Bay
In regards to potential employers in Coos Bay, several large life and health insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife frequently recruit new actuarial graduates. These firms often have structured internship programs that provide essential exam study time, effectively easing the transition for entry-level employees. Consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer also seek junior analysts, offering a premium for candidates who are ASA-credentialed. Fresh graduates should focus on obtaining relevant degrees in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, as well as passing early actuarial exams, as each achievement can result in an increase to annual pay. With relevant industry experience and credentials like the ASA, entry-level actuaries can expect salary growth, with each passed exam typically translating to a $3,000 to $8,000 increment to base pay. New actuaries should strategically plan their first few years to maximize their marketability, considering skills in predictive analytics and data science, which are becoming increasingly important in today’s competitive environment.
More salary data for Coos Bay, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Coos Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coos Bay 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