Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lake Oswego, OR: $80,941 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lake Oswego, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,941 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lake Oswego's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $78,890 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,742) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial field in Lake Oswego, Oregon, can expect a starting actuary salary around $80,941 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $134,742, it reflects the growth potential within this profession. As early-career actuaries advance, they can anticipate salary increases punctuated by passing professional exams, progressing from the entry-level salary to the 25th percentile of $99,546 within the first few years. Given Lake Oswego’s upward trajectory and solid job market, it presents a favorable environment for new actuaries embarking on their careers.
About the Lake Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lake Oswego
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 Lake Oswego
Entry-level actuarys in Lake Oswego, OR typically start between $80,941 and $99,546 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $127,909 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,742 — 0.43% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oregon of $58,000 represents just 71.66% of the starting actuary pay ($80,941/year) in Lake Oswego. 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 Lake Oswego
- 1Research the Lake Oswego market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $80,941 to $99,546, 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 Lake Oswego, 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 Lake Oswego for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lake Oswego'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 Lake Oswego is $127,909 ( 158.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,941, experienced hygienists can earn up to $208,850.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,745
2025 BLS Actual
$78,431
2026 Current Est.
$80,941
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lake Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,745 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,913 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,148 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,247 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,941 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,531 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lake Oswego, OR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,745 in 2019 to $78,431 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,531. New graduates entering the Lake Oswego job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Oswego 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 Lake Oswego
Several prominent employers within Lake Oswego actively recruit entry-level actuaries, offering structured training programs that cater to new grads. Companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual provide pathways for actuarial students, including guaranteed study time for necessary exams. Health insurers and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer also value candidates pursuing professional credentials. New graduates with a background in math or statistics, along with ongoing efforts to pass actuarial exams, are well-positioned to increase their starting pay effectively. Each passed exam typically contributes an additional $3,000 to $8,000 to one’s base salary, highlighting the importance of continuing education for salary growth. Additionally, emerging skills in predictive analytics are becoming increasingly sought after, making ongoing learning essential for those wishing to reach their earning potential more quickly in the dynamic Lake Oswego market.
More salary data for Lake Oswego, 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 Lake Oswego. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Oswego 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