Actuary Salary in Federal Way, WA: $142,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Federal Way, WA earns a median $142,786/year (≈ $68.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Federal Way's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $132,948 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Federal Way, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $142,786 in 2026, which positions them slightly above the national average of $134,160. The salary range shows significant variation as well, with figures spanning from $86,496 at the 10th percentile to $221,319 at the 90th percentile. These projections are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. The job market in the area reflects a diverse specialization choice, with opportunities in both the SOA (life, health, and pension) and CAS (property and casualty) sectors, impacting salary expectations and career trajectories for aspiring actuaries in Federal Way.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,496 | $41.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,604 | $51.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,786 | $68.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,767 | $87.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,319 | $106.40 |
Median Salary Position
6.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Federal Way
In Federal Way, WA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,823 (2026 est.). At $142,786, the local median is 6.43% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Federal Way: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Federal Way Actuary Pay Compares
Federal Way median: $142,786/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Federal Way Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $144,083 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +6.43% more |
Actuarys in Federal Way, WA earn a median of $142,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.43% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $144,083.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Federal Way has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Federal Way, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,786 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,948 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$115,317
2025 BLS Actual
$138,359
2026 Current Est.
$142,786
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,317 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,169 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,709 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,716 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,488 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,359 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,356 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Federal Way metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $115,317 (2019) to $138,359 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,039 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Federal Way 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) | $86,496 – $106,604 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,604 – $142,786 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,786 – $182,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,767 – $221,319 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Federal Way
The local market for actuaries consists of around 22 professionals employed within the city, creating a stable yet competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, this indicates that while salaries may be higher than some regions, take-home pay can feel compressed due to elevated living expenses. Employers such as Prudential, UnitedHealth, and Cigna typically offer higher compensation among local firms, especially for actuaries who excel in the life and health sectors. The disparity in pay often arises from factors such as progression through actuarial exams, the level of credentialing, and the specialty of the market. To maximize potential earnings, candidates should focus on obtaining higher-level certifications such as Fellowship, explore opportunities in consulting, and emphasize their skills in emerging areas like predictive analytics.
More salary data for Federal Way, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Federal Way, WA in 2026?
Is Federal Way, WA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Federal Way?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Federal Way?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Federal Way?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $138,359 for actuariesin the Federal Way 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 Federal Way 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