Actuary Salary in Salem, OR: $139,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Salem, OR earns a median $139,753/year (≈ $67.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Salem's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $136,212 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, Oregon, the projected annual compensation for actuaries in 2026 is estimated at $139,753, slightly above the national median of $134,160, offering a competitive edge in this specialty market. The salary range spans from $81,057 at the 10th percentile to $216,618 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse disparity influenced by various factors such as experience, specialty, and the type of employer. This comprehensive salary picture reflects the regional economic conditions, incorporating local adjustments based on BLS state-level data. With a preference for either the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) designations, candidates have the opportunity to navigate different pathways, potentially impacting their earning potential within Salem's job market.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,057 | $38.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,622 | $48.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,753 | $67.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,885 | $86.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,618 | $104.14 |
Median Salary Position
4.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,561 (2026 est.). At $139,753, the local median is 4.17% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Actuary Pay Compares
Salem median: $139,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $137,688 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +4.17% more |
Actuarys in Salem, OR earn a median of $139,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.17% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 1.50% above the Oregon state average of $137,688.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,753 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,212 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,867
2025 BLS Actual
$135,420
2026 Current Est.
$139,753
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,867 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,659 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,315 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,743 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,003 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,086 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $112,867 (2019) to $135,420 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,359 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $81,057 – $100,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,622 – $139,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,753 – $178,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,885 – $216,618 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Salem
Salem employs approximately 44 actuaries, and considering the cost of living index at 102.6, professionals may find their disposable income affected despite the salaries appearing robust. Employers such as Prudential and UnitedHealth are known for offering higher salaries, particularly to those with advanced credentials. The pay gap observed in the local market can be attributed to several factors including the progression of exams, where each exam passed can increase base pay significantly, alongside variations in specialty fields. Focusing on enhancing qualifications through exam completion and gaining experience in high-demand sectors like property and casualty insurance or health management can effectively maximize actuary pay in Salem OR. Candidates aiming to improve their prospects should also consider seeking employers who provide study time benefits and signing bonuses for credential achievements, further strengthening their overall compensation strategy.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $135,420 for actuariesin the Salem 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 Salem 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