Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Tualatin, OR: $86,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Tualatin, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $86,122 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tualatin's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,940 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,243) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Tualatin offers promising prospects for new graduates venturing into the actuarial field, with entry-level actuary salaries projected in 2026 starting at around $86,122. Compared to the overall median salary in the city of $132,243, there is a noticeable gap that reflects the typical career trajectory most actuaries experience. Fresh graduates can realistically anticipate growth from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, reaching approximately $102,740 within their first few years of employment. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, Tualatin appears to be a favorable market for new actuaries, supporting their professional development right from entry-level positions.
About the Tualatin Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tualatin
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 Tualatin
Entry-level actuarys in Tualatin, OR typically start between $86,122 and $102,740 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,854 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,243 — 1.43% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Oregon of $58,000 represents just 67.35% of the starting actuary pay ($86,122/year) in Tualatin. 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 Tualatin
- 1Research the Tualatin market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $86,122 to $102,740, 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 Tualatin, 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 Tualatin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tualatin'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 Tualatin is $118,854 ( 138.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $86,122, experienced hygienists can earn up to $204,976.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,890
2025 BLS Actual
$83,452
2026 Current Est.
$86,122
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Tualatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,133 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,191 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,064 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,554 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,452 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,878 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Tualatin, OR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,890 in 2019 to $83,452 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $88,878. New graduates entering the Tualatin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tualatin 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 Tualatin
In Tualatin, various employers, including major life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, are actively recruiting fresh talent. These organizations often have established campus recruitment pipelines that include structured support for exam preparation, enhancing the initial compensatory package. Health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer also hire entry-level actuaries, with consulting roles potentially offering higher salaries for those who have achieved ASA credentials. To elevate starting pay, new actuaries should focus on obtaining a relevant bachelor's degree, passing preliminary actuarial exams, and earning Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credits. Exam progression is critical in this field—every passed exam can increase a base salary by $3,000 to $8,000. Therefore, new professionals can plan realistic growth expectations, recognizing that obtaining an ASA credential can significantly boost their marketability and lead to faster salary advancement within the first three years of their careers in Tualatin, OR.
More salary data for Tualatin, 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 Tualatin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tualatin 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