Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Centennial, CO: $72,751 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Centennial, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,751 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Centennial's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,287 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($125,432) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the actuarial field in Centennial, Colorado, can expect a starting salary around $72,751. This figure represents the lower tenth percentile (P10) of earnings in the city and highlights the challenges of starting out in this competitive industry. Compared to the median annual salary of $125,432 for actuaries in Centennial, entry-level actuaries are positioned at a significant gap in earnings, but there is potential for growth as they gain experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.20%, early-career professionals can anticipate a progression towards the 25th percentile salary of $90,368 within the initial years. This upward trajectory indicates that Centennial remains a viable market for newcomers, offering ample opportunity for career advancement in the dynamic field of actuarial science.
About the Centennial Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Centennial
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Centennial
Entry-level actuarys in Centennial, CO typically start between $72,751 and $90,368 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,670 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $125,432 — 6.51% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 82.47% of the starting actuary pay ($72,751/year) in Centennial. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Centennial
- 1Research the Centennial market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,751 to $90,368, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Centennial, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Centennial for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Centennial's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Centennial is $121,670 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,751, experienced hygienists can earn up to $194,421.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,194
2025 BLS Actual
$70,495
2026 Current Est.
$72,751
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Centennial (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,194 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,244 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,758 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,385 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,591 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,495 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,751 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,079 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Centennial, CO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,194 in 2019 to $70,495 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,079. New graduates entering the Centennial job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Centennial 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.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Centennial
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Employers in Centennial actively seeking entry-level actuaries include significant life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which recruit recent graduates through campus connections and provide structured exam preparation time. Health insurance organizations are also a key sector for new actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher starting salaries for candidates with Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) credentials. A solid educational background in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science is essential for new grads, as is passing actuarial exams through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Each passed exam can lead to a raise of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. A strategy for the first few years should prioritize exam progression, as both SOA and CAS fellows command distinct markets, with consulting firms offering premium pay for Fellow (FSA/FCAS) qualifications. Consequently, realistic salary expectations during the initial years can align with ongoing skill development, particularly in predictive analytics and data science expertise, which are increasingly valuable in today's actuarial landscape.
More salary data for Centennial, CO:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Centennial. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Centennial 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