Entry-Level Actuary Salary in McMinnville, OR: $84,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the McMinnville, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,873 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out McMinnville's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,722 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,461) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating into the actuarial field in McMinnville, Oregon, offers new actuaries a promising start, with entry-level salaries projected at $84,873 in 2026. This figure, while on the lower end of the salary spectrum, represents a solid launchpad when considering the median annual salary of $136,461 for all actuaries in the area. As new graduates gain experience and pass actuarial exams, their earning potential can grow significantly, with many moving toward $102,957 as they reach the 25th percentile within the first few years. Given this trajectory, McMinnville presents a favorable market for recent graduates, especially when aligned with a growth rate of 3.20% annually that indicates stability and potential for upward movement in compensation over time.
About the McMinnville Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in McMinnville
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 McMinnville
Entry-level actuarys in McMinnville, OR typically start between $84,873 and $102,957 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $126,643 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,461 — 1.72% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oregon of $58,000 represents just 68.34% of the starting actuary pay ($84,873/year) in McMinnville. 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 McMinnville
- 1Research the McMinnville market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $84,873 to $102,957, 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 McMinnville, 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 McMinnville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5McMinnville'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 McMinnville is $126,643 ( 149.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,873, experienced hygienists can earn up to $211,516.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,890
2025 BLS Actual
$82,241
2026 Current Est.
$84,873
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in McMinnville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,115 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,216 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,113 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,394 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,589 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in McMinnville, OR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,890 in 2019 to $82,241 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,589. New graduates entering the McMinnville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McMinnville 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 McMinnville
In McMinnville, employers that regularly hire entry-level actuaries include established life insurance giants such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual. These organizations often seek candidates through internships and structured exam study programs, which can greatly enhance a new grad’s qualifications. Health insurance companies and consulting firms—like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW—also actively recruit early-career actuaries, and offer higher starting salaries, especially for candidates with credentials such as the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA). Pursuing the ASA designation, which generally takes around 4-5 years and requires passing 5-7 exams, can lead to eventual increases in starting pay by $3,000 to $8,000 per exam passed, enhancing overall career earnings. New actuaries in McMinnville should also consider gaining proficiency in predictive analytics or data science, as these skills are becoming increasingly valuable in the market, enabling them to adapt and thrive in a sector that rewards continued learning and credential advancement.
More salary data for McMinnville, 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 McMinnville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for McMinnville 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