Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Richland, WA: $87,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Richland, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,572 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Richland's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,538 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($145,619) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the entry-level actuary salary in Richland, WA, starts at around $87,572, a figure that presents significant opportunities for recent graduates. When considering the city’s median salary of $145,619, it becomes clear that new actuaries can anticipate a growth trajectory that elevates their pay as they gather experience. As they move through the early years of their career, they may find their earnings reaching approximately $107,997 by the 25th percentile and potentially approaching the median salary within the first three to five years. Richland currently represents a favorable market for entry-level actuaries, providing pathways for compensation that exceed national averages, as the starting pay in Richland is about 8.54% higher than the national median of $134,160 for 2026.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Richland
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 Richland
Entry-level actuarys in Richland, WA typically start between $87,572 and $107,997 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $138,138 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $145,619 — 8.54% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 68.52% of the starting actuary pay ($87,572/year) in Richland. 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 Richland
- 1Research the Richland market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $87,572 to $107,997, 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 Richland, 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 Richland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Richland'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 Richland is $138,138 ( 157.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,572, experienced hygienists can earn up to $225,710.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,050
2025 BLS Actual
$84,857
2026 Current Est.
$87,572
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,314 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,322 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,502 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,412 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,281 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,857 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,375 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Richland, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,050 in 2019 to $84,857 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,375. New graduates entering the Richland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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 Richland
Recruiters in Richland primarily focus on life and health insurers, such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which frequently seek out new talent through university partnerships, offering structured exam preparation time. Additionally, consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer often attract recent graduates as they look for analysts with ASA credentials, which command a more competitive starting pay. Candidates positioned for success in this market should prioritize passing actuarial exams, which significantly enhance earning potential; each exam cleared typically increases a starting salary by $3,000 to $8,000. A strong educational foundation in mathematics, statistics, or finance will aid in obtaining the necessary VEE credits, and pursuing the ASA credential is essential for achieving long-term success. For those starting their careers, setting realistic growth expectations based on continual development through passed exams will be crucial, especially as consulting firms trend toward compensating FSAs and FCAS at even higher rates for specialized skills in predictive analytics and data science.
More salary data for Richland, 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 Richland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Richland 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