Actuary Pay

Actuary Salary in Puyallup, WA: $137,970 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Puyallup, WA earns a median $137,970/year (≈ $66.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Puyallup's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $128,464 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.

$137,970
Median Annual Salary
$66.34/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$89,253
Entry Level (P10)
$213,854
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Actuary Salary in Puyallup, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Puyallup, WA actuary salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, actuaries in Puyallup, Washington, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $137,970, slightly surpassing the national median of $134,160. The salary range for this profession in the area runs from $89,253 at the 10th percentile to $213,854 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, highlight a market with solid compensation opportunities for actuaries, reflecting how much do actuaries make in Puyallup. The job market for this field is competitive, with growth expectations indicating a 3.20% increase over the next five years. As Puyallup's economy evolves, the demand for skilled professionals in risk assessment roles, especially within the insurance sector, continues to rise.

About the Puyallup Market

Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$89,253$42.91
Lower Range (P25)$106,638$51.27
Median (P50)(typical)$137,970$66.34
Upper Range (P75)$176,602$84.90
Top Earners (P90)$213,854$102.82

Median Salary Position

$89,253$213,854
City Median: $137,970
National: $134,160
P10–P90 Range

2.84% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Puyallup

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for actuarys in Puyallup. The median salary is $137,970, compared to the national median of $134,160.$80.3K$116.4K$152.4K$188.5K$224.5K$89.3K10th Pctl$106.6K25th Pctl$138.0KMedian$176.6K75th Pctl$213.9K90th PctlUS Median$134.2K

In Puyallup, WA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,601 (2026 est.). At $137,970, the local median is 2.84% above the national median of $134,160.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of actuary pay in the Puyallup metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,653
per week
$11,498
per month
$137,981
per year

At 40 hours/week in Puyallup: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Puyallup Actuary Pay Compares

Puyallup median: $137,970/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryPuyallup Pays
Washington Average$144,019-4.20% less
National Average$134,160+2.84% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing actuary median salary in Puyallup ($137,970) with Washington average ($144,019) and the US national median ($134,160).Puyallup$137,970Washington Avg$144,019-4.20%US National$134,160+2.84%

Actuarys in Puyallup, WA earn a median of $137,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $144,019.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$137,970
Nominal Salary
107.4
CoL Index
$128,464
Adjusted Salary

Puyallup has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $137,970. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $128,464, a loss of $9,506.$109.2K$121.6K$133.9K$146.3K$158.7K$137,970NominalSalary$128,464CoL Adjusted(CoL: 107.4) -6.89%US Median $134.2K

Puyallup, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,970 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,464 — a 6.89% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$111,427

2025 BLS Actual

$133,692

2026 Current Est.

$137,970

2019–2027 Growth

+27.8%

Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Puyallup (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for actuaries in Puyallup. Baseline $111,427 in 2025, projected to $142,385 by 2027.$102.2K$113.9K$125.6K$137.4K$149.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$111.4K$114.2K$108.9K$117.2K$123.4K$135.7K$133.7K$138.0K$142.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$111,427Actual
2020$114,183Actual
2021$108,908Actual
2022$117,227Actual
2023$123,408Actual
2024$135,749Actual
2025$133,692Actual
2026(current)$137,970Estimated
2027$142,385Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puyallup metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $111,427 (2019) to $133,692 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,958 (27.78%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puyallup metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$89,253$106,638
3-5 years (Mid Career)$106,638$137,970
5+ years (Experienced)$137,970$176,602
10+ years (Top Earner)$176,602$213,854

ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Actuary Job Market in Puyallup

At present, there are about 10 actuaries employed in Puyallup, a figure that adds to the local dynamics of actuarial employment. With a cost of living index of 107.4, the purchasing power of the salary may differ from other regions, and actuaries must consider their financial situation against the backdrop of local expenses. Employers in the area, including notable companies like Prudential and UnitedHealth, tend to pay higher salaries for those with advanced credentials such as FSA or FCAS. The disparity between salary levels can often be traced back to factors such as exam progressions, specialty areas, and the demand for particular skills. Therefore, actuaries looking to maximize their pay in Puyallup, WA, should aim to complete their examinations promptly, gain experience in high-demand areas like property and casualty reinsurance, and pursue opportunities with consulting firms known for competitive pay structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do actuaries make in Puyallup, WA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median actuary salary in Puyallup is $137,970/year ($66.34/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.20% annual growth). Salaries range from $89,253 at entry level (10th percentile) to $213,854 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Puyallup at 2.8% above the national median. Full-time actuaries typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Puyallup, WA a good place to work as a actuary?

Puyallup actuary salaries are 2.8% above the national average and 4.2% below the Washington state average. The metro area employs approximately 10 actuaries. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can actuaries make $100K in Puyallup?

Yes — the median actuary salary in Puyallup is already $137,970, meaning more than half of actuaries here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $213,854/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Puyallup?

After adjusting for Puyallup's cost-of-living index of 107.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $137,970 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $128,464 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Puyallup reduce the effective value of your salary by 6.9% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a actuary make per hour in Puyallup?

Actuaries in Puyallup earn a median hourly rate of $66.34, which translates to approximately $137,970/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $42.91 for entry-level positions to $102.82 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem actuaries sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

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 $133,692 for actuariesin the Puyallup 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 Puyallup is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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