Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Tacoma, WA: $80,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Tacoma, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,767 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tacoma's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,202 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,712) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuarial candidates entering the Tacoma job market in 2026 can expect a starting actuary salary around $80,767. While this entry-level figure reflects the lower end of the salary spectrum, it’s important for new graduates to set realistic expectations. With Tacoma's median salary for actuaries projected at $136,712, there is a significant gap that entry-level professionals must bridge as they gain experience. Typically, over the first three to five years, young actuaries can advance to earnings of approximately $100,946 (the 25th percentile) and potentially reach the median level with continued education and performance. Tacoma presents a promising market for recent graduates, supported by both its competitive starting pay and the city's emerging demand for actuarial talent.
About the Tacoma Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tacoma
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 Tacoma
Entry-level actuarys in Tacoma, WA typically start between $80,767 and $100,946 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $131,137 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,712 — 1.9% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 74.29% of the starting actuary pay ($80,767/year) in Tacoma. 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 Tacoma
- 1Research the Tacoma market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $80,767 to $100,946, 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 Tacoma, 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 Tacoma for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tacoma'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 Tacoma is $131,137 ( 162.36%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,767, experienced hygienists can earn up to $211,904.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,607
2025 BLS Actual
$78,263
2026 Current Est.
$80,767
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Tacoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,607 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,772 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,085 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,986 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,263 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,352 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Tacoma, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,607 in 2019 to $78,263 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,352. New graduates entering the Tacoma job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tacoma 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 Tacoma
In Tacoma, employers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual actively recruit new graduates, along with health insurance firms looking for entry-level actuaries. Candidates with Bachelor’s degrees in math, statistics, actuarial science, or finance who have begun their credentialing journey by passing initial actuarial exams will find opportunities plentiful. For those pursuing their ASA or ACAS designations, the career trajectory can become even more favorable; each passed exam can result in salary increments of $3,000 to $8,000. Consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer offer competitive wages, especially for ASA-credentialed analysts who are often involved in complex projects that leverage predictive analytics. Realistically, early-career actuaries can aim for steady salary growth in the first few years as they build their skill sets, making Tacoma a viable starting point for aspiring professionals in the actuarial field.
More salary data for Tacoma, 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 Tacoma. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tacoma 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