Payson vs Salt Lake City: Actuary Salary (2026)
Compare actuary salaries between Payson, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Payson, UT | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $123,601 | $136,967▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $59.42 | $65.85▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,497 | $86,729▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $98,868 | $115,677▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $155,058▲ | $136,967 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $187,752▲ | $176,751 |
| Total Employed | 6 | 150▲ |
Verdict
Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Payson.
The salary gap between Payson and Salt Lake City is $13,366 (10.81%). Salt Lake City's median is +2.09% compared to the US national median of $134,160.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Payson spans $113,255,Salt Lake City spans $90,022. Payson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($135,788 effective) pays 7.77% more than Payson ($125,995 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Payson if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($187,752)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Choose Salt Lake City if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($136,967/year)
- ✓Larger job market (150 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,788)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Payson grew 13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 78.4% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.
Payson, UT
$105,949 (2024) → $119,768 (2025)
Salt Lake City, UT
$74,400 (2019) → $132,720 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Payson, UT
Salt Lake City, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays actuarys more: Payson or Salt Lake City?
What is the hourly rate difference between Payson and Salt Lake City?
Should I relocate from Payson to Salt Lake City as a actuary?
What do entry-level actuarys earn in Payson vs Salt Lake City?
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
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