Actuary Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $69.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Bellingham, WA runs $69.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,965 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,382 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, the 2026 median hourly rate for actuaries stands at $69.22, which exceeds the national median of $64.50 by a notable margin. This competitive pay is advantageous for part-time and per-diem actuaries, allowing those working in various settings—such as insurance company actuarial pricing departments, consulting roles, and remote modeling positions—to potentially secure a strong income while balancing other commitments. For entry-level positions, hourly pay starts around $40.14, while top earners can command up to $107.29 per hour, illustrating the broad salary spectrum within this profession. These estimates are derived from annual data, reflecting the potential earnings that actuaries can achieve in a city noted for its higher-than-average cost of living.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.14 | $321.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.37 | $402.98 |
| Median (P50) | $69.22 | $553.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.60 | $708.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.29 | $858.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $69.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.22/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $143,970 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,059. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,768.65 | $11,997 | $143,970 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,661.19 | $7,198 | $86,382 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,107.46 | $4,799 | $57,588 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Bellingham) | $69.22 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $143,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $144,109.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.22/hr = $86,382/year (purchasing power: $80,430).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,970/year (purchasing power: $134,050).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Bellingham grew 20.0% from $55.90/hr (2019) to $67.07/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Bellingham
When evaluating the financial landscape for actuaries in Bellingham, part-time professionals working three days a week could realistically bring home around $86,084 annually based on 24 hours a week, while a full-time actuary would net a much higher income. Per-diem work is less common for those at junior levels, and as actuarial expertise deepens, especially for those achieving Fellow status with credentials such as FSA or FCAS, per diem engagements can bill between $250 and $500 an hour. Additionally, expert witness testimony pays even more, often ranging from $400 to $800 an hour. Actuary hourly pay in Bellingham varies by employer type, with life insurance and health managed care firms often providing different compensation packages compared to consulting firms, where FSAs and FCAS can earn premium rates. Balancing higher hourly wages against benefits such as health insurance is crucial in negotiations for hourly roles, as many actuaries weigh compensation against the security that benefits provide in their careers. Understanding these dynamics can help professionals make informed decisions in the competitive Bellingham job market.
More salary data for Bellingham, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Bellingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bellingham 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