Actuary Salary in Burien, WA: $143,417 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Burien, WA earns a median $143,417/year (≈ $68.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $133,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, Washington, the anticipated median annual salary for actuaries in 2026 is projected at $143,417, representing a 6.90% increase compared to the national median of $134,160. Salaries range from $89,992 at the 10th percentile to as high as $222,297 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect localized estimates that account for cost variations within the region based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. The strong performance of the local job market for actuaries, combined with the competitive salary range, illustrates the demand for specialized skills in Burien.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,992 | $43.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,172 | $52.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,417 | $68.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,574 | $88.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $222,297 | $106.87 |
Median Salary Position
6.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,305 (2026 est.). At $143,417, the local median is 6.9% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Actuary Pay Compares
Burien median: $143,417/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $144,138 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +6.90% more |
Actuarys in Burien, WA earn a median of $143,417 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $144,138.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,417 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,535 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,826
2025 BLS Actual
$138,970
2026 Current Est.
$143,417
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,826 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,207 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,855 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,417 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $115,826 (2019) to $138,970 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,180 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $89,992 – $109,172 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,172 – $143,417 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,417 – $183,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,574 – $222,297 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Burien
Currently, eight actuaries are present in the Burien job market, which signifies a niche but stable demand for these professionals. However, the cost of living index in Burien stands at 107.4, indicating that living expenses are slightly higher than the national average. This reality can affect take-home purchasing power for actuaries. Major employers that provide robust salary packages include consulting firms such as Mercer and Aon, which tend to favor candidates with Fellowship status. The salary differential can be largely attributed to the advancement in exams, where each passed exam often results in a pay increment due to heightened expertise. To enhance earning potential, actuaries in Burien may benefit from pursuing additional credentials and gaining experience in high-demand areas such as property and casualty insurance or consulting, where both knowledge and qualifications can equate to premium pay.
More salary data for Burien, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $138,970 for actuariesin the Burien metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burien 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