Actuary Salary in Lakewood, WA: $142,367 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Lakewood, WA earns a median $142,367/year (≈ $68.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $132,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the actuary salary in Lakewood, WA, is projected to reach a median of $142,367, reflecting a competitive edge over the national average of $134,160. Salary ranges show significant variation, with lower earners starting at approximately $82,573 and top professionals earning around $220,669. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional costs, indicate the city's strong potential for those in the actuarial fields. Lakewood, offering a blend of opportunities across life, health, pension, and property & casualty sectors, presents a lucrative environment for actuaries seeking growth in their careers.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,573 | $39.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,232 | $52.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,367 | $68.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,231 | $87.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,669 | $106.09 |
Median Salary Position
6.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, WA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,096 (2026 est.). At $142,367, the local median is 6.12% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Actuary Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $142,367/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $144,097 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +6.12% more |
Actuarys in Lakewood, WA earn a median of $142,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.12% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $144,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,367 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,558 — 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
$114,979
2025 BLS Actual
$137,953
2026 Current Est.
$142,367
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,979 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,822 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,379 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,075 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,953 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,367 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $114,979 (2019) to $137,953 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,944 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $82,573 – $110,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,232 – $142,367 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,367 – $182,231 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,231 – $220,669 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Lakewood
The job market for actuaries in Lakewood features around 14 professionals currently employed, illustrating a niche yet stable demand. The local cost of living index sits at 107.4, which suggests that while salaries may be higher than in some regions, the purchasing power requires careful consideration. Employers in the area, such as Prudential, UnitedHealth, and State Farm, provide varying levels of compensation, with life and health insurers typically offering lower salaries compared to property & casualty firms. Candidates can optimize their earnings by passing exams, pursuing advanced credentials like FSA or FCAS, and acquiring expertise in data analytics. The differences in pay arise from the specialty chosen and related benefits, including signing bonuses for new credentials, highlighting the strategic choices actuaries must make to maximize their potential income in Lakewood, WA.
More salary data for Lakewood, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Lakewood, WA in 2026?
Is Lakewood, WA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Lakewood?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Lakewood?
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 $137,953 for actuariesin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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