Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Olympia, WA: $82,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Olympia, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,775 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Olympia's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,072 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($142,715) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting a career as an actuary in Olympia, Washington, presents new graduates with promising salary prospects. For those entering the field in 2026, the entry-level actuary salary is projected at $82,775, which is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $142,715. However, the upward trajectory for earnings in these initial years is encouraging, with a potential climb to $110,927 at the 25th percentile within a few years. Olympia’s market shows signs of growth and opportunity, making it an appealing choice for aspiring actuaries, especially with the expected annual growth rate of 3.20%. While starting salaries may not fully reflect the median, the potential for growth through exam progression allows early-career professionals to increase their earnings significantly, particularly as they pass critical certification exams.
About the Olympia Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Olympia
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 Olympia
Entry-level actuarys in Olympia, WA typically start between $82,775 and $110,927 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $138,434 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $142,715 — 6.38% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 72.49% of the starting actuary pay ($82,775/year) in Olympia. 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 Olympia
- 1Research the Olympia market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $82,775 to $110,927, 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 Olympia, 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 Olympia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Olympia'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 Olympia is $138,434 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,775, experienced hygienists can earn up to $221,209.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,212
2025 BLS Actual
$80,208
2026 Current Est.
$82,775
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,212 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,407 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,579 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,208 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,423 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Olympia, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,212 in 2019 to $80,208 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,423. New graduates entering the Olympia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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 Olympia
Employers in Olympia actively seek to recruit entry-level actuaries, especially from large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often establish partnerships with local universities to bring in fresh talent. In addition, consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer are known to prefer ASA-credentialed candidates at higher starting salaries due to the structured career development these organizations offer. A solid educational background, typically requiring a degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, along with passing the initial actuarial exams, boosts a new grad actuary’s starting pay in WA. Additionally, each passed exam can result in a notable salary increase between $3,000 and $8,000, making the focused study of professional credentials essential. In the competitive job market for actuaries, gaining predictive analytics skills is increasingly advantageous, with many firms looking for these capacities in their entry-level hires, significantly impacting growth potential in the first few years.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Olympia in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Olympia?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Olympia?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Olympia?
How do I become a actuary in Washington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Olympia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Olympia 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