Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $91,459 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Moses Lake, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $91,459 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moses Lake's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,157 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($138,999) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For aspiring actuaries entering the job market in Moses Lake, Washington, the starting pay presents a promising perspective. In 2026, entry-level actuaries can expect a salary around $91,459, which may appear lower than the city median of $138,999. However, new graduates should view this initial amount as a stepping stone, with potential earnings advancing to approximately $108,680 within a few years as experience and skills grow. The projected growth trajectory reflects a positive outlook, with salaries potentially rising in line with the average annual growth rate of 3.20%. Given these figures, Moses Lake remains a viable market for recent graduates seeking to establish their careers in actuarial science, especially compared to the national median of $134,160.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moses Lake
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 Moses Lake
Entry-level actuarys in Moses Lake, WA typically start between $91,459 and $108,680 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $123,990 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $138,999 — 3.61% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 65.60% of the starting actuary pay ($91,459/year) in Moses Lake. 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 Moses Lake
- 1Research the Moses Lake market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $91,459 to $108,680, 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 Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moses Lake'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 Moses Lake is $123,990 ( 135.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $91,459, experienced hygienists can earn up to $215,449.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,159
2025 BLS Actual
$88,623
2026 Current Est.
$91,459
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,354 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,942 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,025 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,623 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,459 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,386 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Moses Lake, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $73,159 in 2019 to $88,623 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $94,386. New graduates entering the Moses Lake job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
Employment opportunities for new actuaries in Moses Lake can be found with prominent life and health insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife, which often recruit graduates through structured programs that support exam preparations. Additionally, consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer typically seek out candidates who are on track to achieve their ASA certifications, offering higher initial salaries for those with collegiate backgrounds in mathematics or finance. To maximize earning potential, it’s advisable for new actuaries to focus on passing the first exams from SOA or CAS, as each exam passed correlates with salary increases of $3,000 to $8,000. Building a strong foundation with VEE credits and aiming for the ASA credential within 4-5 years can significantly enhance career trajectories. Initial compensation is expected to rise substantially as professionals achieve higher qualifications, particularly if they target roles within consulting firms where FSAs and FCAS professionals are highly valued.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moses Lake 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