Actuary Pay

Aurora vs Lafayette: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Aurora, CO and Lafayette, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$121,564
$58.44/hr
Lafayette, CO
$136,330
$65.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, COLafayette, CO
Median Salary$121,564$136,330
Hourly Rate$58.44$65.54
Entry Level (P10)$70,958$79,323
25th Percentile$89,009$107,125
75th Percentile$155,603$173,515
Top Earner (P90)$188,425$211,312
Total Employed547
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($121,564) and Lafayette ($136,330) actuary salaries.AuroraLafayetteMedian Salary$121,564$136,330Entry Level (P10)$70,958$79,323Top Earner (P90)$188,425$211,312US Median $134,160

Verdict

Lafayette, CO offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Aurora and Lafayette is $14,766 (12.15%). Lafayette's median is +1.62% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $117,467,Lafayette spans $131,989. Lafayette has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$70,958
P25$89,009
Median$121,564
P75$155,603
P90 (Top)$188,425
Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$79,323
P25$107,125
Median$136,330
P75$173,515
P90 (Top)$211,312

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lafayette ($129,838 effective) pays 12.15% more than Aurora ($115,775 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $121,564
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $115,775
Lafayette
Nominal: $136,330
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $129,838

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Larger job market (54 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Lafayette if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,330/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($211,312)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,838)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Aurora grew -12.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Lafayette over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-12.6%

$134,786 (2024) → $117,795 (2025)

Lafayette, CO

+4.0%

$127,022 (2024) → $132,103 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Aurora or Lafayette?

Lafayette has a higher median actuary salary at $136,330/year, compared to Aurora at $121,564/year — a difference of $14,766 (12.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Lafayette?

Aurora actuarys earn $58.44/hr while Lafayette hygienists earn $65.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Lafayette as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Lafayette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $115,775, Lafayette = $129,838), job availability (54 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Aurora vs Lafayette?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $70,958 in Aurora and $79,323 in Lafayette. The Lafayette area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov