Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $91,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lake Stevens, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $91,842 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lake Stevens's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,514 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,357) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Lake Stevens, Washington, 2026 presents promising opportunities, with starting salaries beginning at around $91,842. While this entry-level figure may initially seem low compared to the city's projected median salary of $139,357, it reflects a clear growth trajectory for those who progress in their careers. In the early years, recent graduates can expect their compensation to increase steadily, moving from the 10th percentile up to the 25th percentile at $109,394 within three to five years. Overall, Lake Stevens remains a competitive market for new actuaries, making it an appealing place for aspiring professionals eager to begin their journey in this lucrative field.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lake Stevens
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 Lake Stevens
Entry-level actuarys in Lake Stevens, WA typically start between $91,842 and $109,394 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $124,162 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,357 — 3.87% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 65.33% of the starting actuary pay ($91,842/year) in Lake Stevens. 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 Lake Stevens
- 1Research the Lake Stevens market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $91,842 to $109,394, 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 Lake Stevens, 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 Lake Stevens for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lake Stevens'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 Lake Stevens is $124,162 ( 135.19%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $91,842, experienced hygienists can earn up to $216,004.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,465
2025 BLS Actual
$88,994
2026 Current Est.
$91,842
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,465 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,281 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,381 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,493 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,994 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,781 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lake Stevens, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $73,465 in 2019 to $88,994 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $94,781. New graduates entering the Lake Stevens job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, employers that actively recruit entry-level actuaries include major life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, all of which have strong campus recruitment strategies offering structured exam support. Health insurers also seek fresh talent, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher initial salaries to Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) credentialed analysts. New entrants with degrees in math, statistics, actuarial science, or finance, coupled with VEE credits in economics, accounting, and math, will find their starting actuary salary in WA boosted significantly. Exam progression stands as the primary driver of salary growth; each passed exam could yield an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 to the base pay. Realistically, during the first three years, actuaries may witness a gradual salary increase aligned with their exam progress and the demand for skills in predictive analytics and data science.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 Lake Stevens. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Stevens 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