Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $87,666 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Grants Pass, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,666 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Grants Pass's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,444 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,915) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates considering a career as an actuary in Grants Pass can expect an entry-level salary around $87,666. This figure represents a significant starting point, yet it's notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $132,915, which creates a considerable gap for early-career professionals. Entry-level salaries can grow substantially over the first few years of employment, moving from the P10 starting figure to the P25 salary of $104,104 as one gains experience and passes actuarial exams. With the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, there’s a strong potential for a rewarding career path in this relatively stable market, making Grants Pass an appealing city for ambitious new actuaries looking to establish themselves.
About the Grants Pass Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Grants Pass
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 Grants Pass
Entry-level actuarys in Grants Pass, OR typically start between $87,666 and $104,104 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,353 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,915 — 0.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oregon of $58,000 represents just 66.16% of the starting actuary pay ($87,666/year) in Grants Pass. 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 Grants Pass
- 1Research the Grants Pass market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $87,666 to $104,104, 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 Grants Pass, 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 Grants Pass for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Grants Pass'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 Grants Pass is $118,353 ( 135.00%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,666, experienced hygienists can earn up to $206,019.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,125
2025 BLS Actual
$84,948
2026 Current Est.
$87,666
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,125 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,395 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,499 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,954 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,666 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,472 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Grants Pass, OR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,125 in 2019 to $84,948 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,472. New graduates entering the Grants Pass job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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 Grants Pass
In Grants Pass, several employers are keen to onboard entry-level actuaries, providing promising opportunities for recent graduates. Major life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit from local colleges and often offer structured training, including dedicated study time for actuarial exams. Health insurance providers and consulting firms, such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW, also present valuable options for new grads, especially those who secure credentials like ASA and have demonstrated progress in their examinations. To enhance initial pay, it’s crucial for new actuaries to complete necessary credentials, such as a Bachelor’s in math or related fields, while earning VEE credits in economics and accounting. The differential in pay between consulting roles and traditional insurers typically favors those with advanced designations like FSA or FCAS. Within the first three years, actuaries in Grants Pass can anticipate incremental salary increases, directly correlating with exam progress, where each passed exam often results in raises of $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary.
More salary data for Grants Pass, 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 Grants Pass. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Grants Pass 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