Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Seattle, WA: $88,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Seattle, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $88,153 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Seattle's local price level (BEA RPP 111.1 — 11% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,322 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,031) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a new graduate entering the actuarial field in Seattle, Washington can expect an entry-level salary starting at approximately $88,153. This initial figure is a considerable gap from the overall median annual salary of $139,031 for actuaries in the area. However, early-career professionals should anticipate a growth trajectory as they progress in their roles; salaries can increase to around $107,472 within the first few years, ultimately aligning closer to the city’s median. Given the competitive job market and the strong demand for actuaries in Seattle, especially in insurance and consulting sectors, 2026 presents a favorable environment for new graduates looking to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Seattle
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 Seattle
Entry-level actuarys in Seattle, WA typically start between $88,153 and $107,472 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $128,505 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,031 — 3.63% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 68.06% of the starting actuary pay ($88,153/year) in Seattle. 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 Seattle
- 1Research the Seattle market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $88,153 to $107,472, 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 Seattle, 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 Seattle for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Seattle's above-average cost of living (index: 111.133) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Seattle is $128,505 ( 145.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $88,153, experienced hygienists can earn up to $216,658.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,980
2025 BLS Actual
$85,420
2026 Current Est.
$88,153
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,974 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Seattle, WA grew 12.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $75,980 in 2019 to $85,420 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,974. New graduates entering the Seattle job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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 Seattle
Employers in Seattle actively seeking new actuarial talent include large life insurers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which typically onboard candidates straight from university with structured exam preparation and mentorship programs. Health insurers also hire entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW often offer higher starting salaries to ASA-credentialed analysts. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or finance will find that passing the requisite actuarial exams significantly influences their earning potential; each exam passed generally translates to a salary boost between $3,000 and $8,000. To advance their careers effectively, new actuaries need to focus on obtaining relevant credentials such as the ASA and eventually the FSA, which can take several years and multiple exams. By understanding the demand for skills in predictive analytics and data science, new entrants to the workforce can position themselves favorably, ensuring their growth trajectories align with the evolving actuarial market in Seattle.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Seattle. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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