Actuary Salary in University Place, WA: $141,302 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in University Place, WA earns a median $141,302/year (≈ $67.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $131,566 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in University Place, WA, command a median annual salary of $141,302 in 2026, placing them slightly above the national median of $134,160. This salary reflects a competitive range, with the lowest 10% earning around $85,310 and the top 90% reaching approximately $219,019. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. The local job market for actuaries remains relatively small but specialized, consisting of just six professionals, indicating a focused demand for their expertise within the community.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,310 | $41.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,710 | $50.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,302 | $67.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,230 | $86.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,019 | $105.29 |
Median Salary Position
5.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,709 (2026 est.). At $141,302, the local median is 5.32% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Actuary Pay Compares
University Place median: $141,302/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $144,039 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +5.32% more |
Actuarys in University Place, WA earn a median of $141,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $144,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,302 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,566 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,118
2025 BLS Actual
$136,921
2026 Current Est.
$141,302
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,118 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,941 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,538 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,028 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,921 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,302 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,824 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $114,118 (2019) to $136,921 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,824 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,706 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $85,310 – $104,710 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,710 – $141,302 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,302 – $179,230 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,230 – $219,019 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in University Place
Understanding the cost of living is crucial for evaluating the actuary salary in University Place, particularly given the local index of 107.4, which suggests a higher living expense compared to the national average. Employers offering the most competitive compensation typically include prominent insurance firms such as Prudential, MetLife, and UnitedHealth, along with consulting firms like Aon and Mercer. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the progression through actuarial exams — each passed exam generally yields an increase of $3,000 to $8,000. To optimize pay, aspiring actuaries in University Place should focus on advancing their exams to the fellowship level, gaining specialized knowledge in areas like predictive analytics, and seeking opportunities in insurance or consulting that reward these credentials.
More salary data for University Place, 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 $136,921 for actuariesin the University Place 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 University Place 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