Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Federal Way, WA: $86,496 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Federal Way, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $86,496 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Federal Way's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,536 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,786) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals entering the actuarial profession in Federal Way, WA can expect an entry-level salary starting at around $86,496. This initial compensation is quite a gap from the city's median annual salary of $142,786, but it provides a solid foundation for growth in the first few years. Newly graduated actuaries can anticipate an upward trajectory, moving from P10 to P25 levels, which is projected to reach approximately $106,604 within the first few years of employment. Considering the region's economic climate and the 3.20% annual growth rate, Federal Way currently stands as a favorable market for new grads seeking opportunities in this field.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Federal Way
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 Federal Way
Entry-level actuarys in Federal Way, WA typically start between $86,496 and $106,604 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $134,823 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,786 — 6.43% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 69.37% of the starting actuary pay ($86,496/year) in Federal Way. 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 Federal Way
- 1Research the Federal Way market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $86,496 to $106,604, 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 Federal Way, 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 Federal Way for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Federal Way'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 Federal Way is $134,823 ( 155.87%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $86,496, experienced hygienists can earn up to $221,319.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,189
2025 BLS Actual
$83,814
2026 Current Est.
$86,496
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,189 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,437 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,482 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,549 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,411 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,257 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,496 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,264 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Federal Way, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,189 in 2019 to $83,814 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $89,264. New graduates entering the Federal Way job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Federal Way 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 Federal Way
When exploring employment prospects, major insurance providers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual regularly recruit entry-level actuarial professionals. They often offer structured career development programs that include paid exam time, allowing fresh graduates to progress in their credentials while gaining practical experience. Consequently, new actuaries should focus on earning a bachelor's degree in math, statistics, or actuarial science and passing the initial exams set by the SOA or CAS for life/health or property/casualty respectively. Notably, achieving actuarial credentials like the ASA can lead to significant salary increases, with every exam passed generally contributing an additional $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary. Within the first few years, actuaries dedicated to advancing their education and exam completion can reasonably expect to witness considerable salary growth, especially when considering the benefits of obtaining fellowship status from the SOA or CAS, which presents opportunities in higher-paying consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer.
More salary data for Federal Way, 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 Federal Way. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Federal Way 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