Actuary Pay

Actuary Salary in Washington: $140,902 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Washington's 49 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $140,902/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $131,194 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Spokane Valley ($143,729), Renton ($143,267), Everett ($141,879).

Actuary Salary in Washington - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Washington actuary salary overview (2026)
$140,902
Avg Median Salary
$67.74
Avg Hourly Rate
889
Metro Employed
49
Cities

In Washington, the average median salary for actuaries in 2026 is projected to be $140,902, which is 5.0% higher than the national median of $134,160. The city of Spokane Valley leads the state with a salary of $148,328, while Tukwila offers the lowest at $133,184. This $15,144 salary gap can be attributed to various factors, including local demand for actuarial services, the size and scope of the regional insurance markets, and differences in the cost of living. Washington's unique state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can influence an actuary's opportunities and salary potential. The state's growing economy and increasing complexity in risk management continue to drive demand for skilled actuaries. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, the job market for actuaries in Washington appears promising. The top cities for actuarial positions in 2026 also include Renton at $147,852, Everett at $146,419, Spokane at $146,101, and Richland at $145,619. These cities reflect variations in local industry needs, investment in financial services, and access to relevant educational resources. Overall, Washington presents a strong landscape for actuaries with favorable salary prospects and ongoing demand.

Washington Actuary Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$85,917
avg across 49 cities
Median
$140,902
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$218,679
avg across 49 cities

Overall salary range in Washington: $77,772 (lowest entry-level) to $229,909 (highest top earner)

Washington vs National Average

Washington
$140,902
National Median
$134,160

Washington actuaries earn 5.03% more than the national median (+$6,742/year difference).

Washington Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Washington actuary salary percentiles: 10th percentile $85,917, 25th $106,425, Median $140,902, 75th $181,385, 90th $218,679. US national median is $134,160.$61.2K$122.5K$183.7K$244.9K$85.9K10thEntry Level$106.4K25thEarly Career$140.9KMedianMid Career$181.4K75thExperienced$218.7K90thTop EarnerUS Median $134.2K

Actuary salaries in Washington range from $85,917 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $218,679 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $140,902. The Washington median is $6,742 above the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $67.74/hr. Approximately 889 actuarys are employed across 49 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$132,560

2025 BLS Actual

$136,533

2026 Current Est.

$140,902

2019–2027 Growth

+9.7%

Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Washington (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 Washington. Baseline $132,560 in 2025, projected to $145,410 by 2027.$94.4K$109.3K$124.2K$139.0K$153.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$132.6K$129.9K$102.9K$127.3K$132.9K$139.9K$136.5K$140.9K$145.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$132,560Actual
2020$129,890Actual
2021$102,930Actual
2022$127,350Actual
2023$132,924Actual
2024$139,870Actual
2025$136,533Actual
2026(current)$140,902Estimated
2027$145,410Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 3.0% from $132,560 (2019) to $136,533 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,410 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,850 (9.69%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington

#1
Spokane Valley
21 employed · $71.31/hr
$148,328
+5.27% vs avg
#2
Renton
27 employed · $71.08/hr
$147,852
+4.93% vs avg
#3
Everett
20 employed · $70.39/hr
$146,419
+3.92% vs avg
#4
Spokane
56 employed · $70.24/hr
$146,101
+3.69% vs avg
#5
Richland
15 employed · $70.01/hr
$145,619
+3.35% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Washington

CityMedian Salary
Tukwila$133,184
Mountlake Terrace$133,389
Vancouver$134,089
Covington$135,264
Kenmore$135,275

Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Washington

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Spokane Valley$148,328107.4$138,108
Renton$147,852107.4$137,665
Everett$146,419107.4$136,331
Spokane$146,101107.4$136,034
Richland$145,619107.4$135,586

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Washington

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$85,917
Mid Career (3-7 years)$140,902
Experienced (7+ years)$218,679

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 49 Cities in Washington

#CityMedian Salary
1Spokane Valley$148,328
2Renton$147,852
3Everett$146,419
4Spokane$146,101
5Richland$145,619
6Marysville$145,323
7Shoreline$144,524
8Bellingham$143,965
9Redmond$143,954
10Kent$143,835
11Kirkland$143,600
12Burien$143,417
13Kennewick$142,950
14Federal Way$142,786
15Des Moines$142,757
16Olympia$142,715
17Auburn$142,424
18Lakewood$142,367
19Issaquah$142,287
20Lacey$141,477
21Sammamish$141,352
22University Place$141,302
23SeaTac$141,191
24Tumwater$141,046
25Pasco$140,587
26Longview$140,520
27Bellevue$140,393
28Mount Vernon$140,162
29Edmonds$139,726
30Lake Stevens$139,357
31Lynnwood$139,267
32Seattle$139,031
33Moses Lake$138,999
34Bothell$138,899
35Pullman$138,284
36Puyallup$137,970
37Ellensburg$137,452
38Maple Valley$137,076
39Bremerton$136,931
40Walla Walla$136,774
41Camas$136,730
42Tacoma$136,712
43Wenatchee$136,617
44Oak Harbor$136,153
45Kenmore$135,275
46Covington$135,264
47Vancouver$134,089
48Mountlake Terrace$133,389
49Tukwila$133,184

More Washington Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore actuary hourly pay in Washington cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new actuaries.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.

Compare Cities in Washington

View all comparisons →

Explore More Actuary Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do actuaries make in Washington in 2026?

The average median actuary salary in Washington is $140,902/year across 49 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $133,184 in Tukwila to $148,328 in Spokane Valley. This makes Washington one of the higher-paying states, at 5.03% above the national median of $134,160. The state employs approximately 889 actuaries.

What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Washington?

Spokane Valley offers the highest actuary salary in Washington at $148,328/year ($71.31/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Spokane Valley ($148,328), Renton ($147,852), Everett ($146,419). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for actuarial science services, and competition among employers for licensed actuaries.

How does Washington actuary pay compare to the national average?

Washington's average actuary salary of $140,902 is 5.03% above the national median of $134,160 in 2026. The state employs approximately 889 actuaries across 49 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level actuary salary in Washington?

Entry-level actuaries (10th percentile) in Washington earn approximately $85,917/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $77,772 in lower-paying areas to $92,076 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many actuaries are employed in Washington?

Washington employs approximately 889 actuaries across 49 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the actuarial science field expands and the population ages.

Which Washington city offers the best value for actuaries?

When adjusted for cost of living, Spokane Valley offers the highest purchasing power for actuaries in Washington, with an adjusted salary of $138,108 (nominal: $148,328, CoL index: 107.4). This means your dollar goes 7% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
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

Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 49 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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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