Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Pendleton, OR: $84,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Pendleton, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,703 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pendleton's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,557 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,230) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates in Pendleton, Oregon, the starting salary for actuaries is projected to be around $84,703 in 2026. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $132,230, it reflects a realistic entry point for recent actuarial graduates entering the workforce. This gap indicates that there are substantial opportunities for salary growth over the first few years. With a projected increase from the starting point of $84,703 to $101,332 at the 25th percentile, entry-level actuaries in Pendleton can expect to see their pay rise as they gain experience and continue their professional education. Given the city's modest cost of living index of 102.6 compared to the national average, Pendleton remains a promising market for new graduates seeking actuarial careers.
About the Pendleton Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pendleton
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 Pendleton
Entry-level actuarys in Pendleton, OR typically start between $84,703 and $101,332 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $116,992 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,230 — 1.44% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oregon of $58,000 represents just 68.47% of the starting actuary pay ($84,703/year) in Pendleton. 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 Pendleton
- 1Research the Pendleton market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $84,703 to $101,332, 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 Pendleton, 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 Pendleton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pendleton'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 Pendleton is $116,992 ( 138.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,703, experienced hygienists can earn up to $201,695.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,755
2025 BLS Actual
$82,077
2026 Current Est.
$84,703
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Pendleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,755 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,977 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,084 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,963 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,745 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,077 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,414 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Pendleton, OR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,755 in 2019 to $82,077 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,414. New graduates entering the Pendleton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pendleton 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 Pendleton
In Pendleton, entry-level actuaries may find employment with both large health and life insurance companies, as well as consulting firms. Major employers such as Prudential and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit new actuarial talent, providing paths for growth through structured exam study time. Additionally, firms like Milliman and Mercer often seek ASA-credentialed analysts, offering higher base salaries for positions involving advanced skills, including predictive analytics. To improve their starting pay, newcomers in the field should focus on obtaining relevant credentials such as a Bachelor’s degree in math or statistics and passing initial actuarial exams offered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Progressing through these exams can significantly increase earnings, as each completed exam typically adds between $3,000 and $8,000 to the base salary. New actuaries should aim for ASAs within 4-5 years and consider the path toward FSA or FCAS, as these credentials can lead to many opportunities and salary enhancements within the Oregon job market.
More salary data for Pendleton, 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 Pendleton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pendleton 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