Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Covington, WA: $81,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Covington, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,435 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Covington's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,824 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($135,264) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Covington, Washington presents a promising landscape for entry-level actuaries looking to kickstart their careers in 2026. With a starting salary at the 10th percentile projected at $81,435, new graduates can anticipate a significant journey ahead as they navigate their first few years in the industry. This initial figure is notably lower than the Covington median of $135,264; however, it offers a clear growth trajectory, with potential earnings rising to $105,077 at the 25th percentile and moving toward the city’s median as they gain experience. Importantly, Covington's projected annual growth rate of 3.20% suggests a robust environment for new actuaries, making it an appealing market for graduates entering this profession.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Covington
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 Covington
Entry-level actuarys in Covington, WA typically start between $81,435 and $105,077 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $128,225 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $135,264 — 0.82% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 73.68% of the starting actuary pay ($81,435/year) in Covington. 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 Covington
- 1Research the Covington market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $81,435 to $105,077, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Covington, 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 Covington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Covington'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 Covington is $128,225 ( 157.46%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,435, experienced hygienists can earn up to $209,660.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,141
2025 BLS Actual
$78,910
2026 Current Est.
$81,435
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,141 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,316 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,534 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,071 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,706 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,041 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Covington, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,141 in 2019 to $78,910 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,041. New graduates entering the Covington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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 Covington
In Covington, several prominent employers actively seek out fresh talent in the actuarial field. Large life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife frequently recruit new grads through structured internship programs that facilitate exam preparation, while health insurers also welcome entry-level actuaries. Consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher starting salaries but often require candidates to possess at least an ASA designation, which can be earned through dedicated exam passage and meeting VEE credit requirements. For those pursuing a lasting career, it’s vital to establish a clear strategy for the crucial first few years, as compensation increases are closely tied to exam progression—typically an added $3,000 to $8,000 for each passed exam. Acquiring skills in predictive analytics can further enhance competitiveness in this evolving field. Based on current projections, new actuaries in Covington can expect steady income growth as they advance toward higher roles and responsibilities, preparing for a successful long-term career.
More salary data for Covington, WA:
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 Covington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington 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