Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $76,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Colorado Springs, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,296 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Colorado Springs's local price level (BEA RPP 100.7 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,760 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($117,400) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates aiming for entry-level actuarial positions in Colorado Springs can realistically expect starting salaries around $76,296. This figure reflects the lower end of the salary spectrum, significantly lower than the city's median salary of $117,400, creating a noticeable gap that new professionals will need to bridge over time. With a structured career trajectory, early-career actuaries may see their earnings rise to around $93,344 as they gain experience and begin to pass additional actuarial exams. With the projected growth rate of 3.20% annually, the market in Colorado Springs appears to be a viable opportunity for newcomers looking to establish themselves in this field, especially as organizations increasingly recognize the value of fresh talent with modern skills.
Career Earnings Timeline in Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs
Entry-level actuarys in Colorado Springs, CO typically start between $76,296 and $93,344 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $99,825 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $117,400 — 12.49% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 78.64% of the starting actuary pay ($76,296/year) in Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs
- 1Research the Colorado Springs market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,296 to $93,344, 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 Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Colorado Springs'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 Colorado Springs is $99,825 ( 130.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,296, experienced hygienists can earn up to $176,121.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,030
2025 BLS Actual
$73,930
2026 Current Est.
$76,296
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,524 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,522 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,737 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Colorado Springs, CO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,030 in 2019 to $73,930 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,737. New graduates entering the Colorado Springs job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs
Firms in Colorado Springs that hire entry-level actuaries predominantly include large life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual. These employers not only look for solid academic backgrounds in mathematics or actuarial science but often establish recruitment pipelines from local universities. Health insurance companies also offer positions for entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW generally have a preference for candidates with an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) designation. Earning VEE credits in economics, accounting, and mathematics can further enhance a new grad’s marketability. Throughout the initial years, passing actuarial exams is crucial for salary advancement; each exam passed could add anywhere between $3,000 to $8,000 to the base salary. Early-stage actuaries are advised to focus on developing skills in predictive analytics and data science, as these competencies are rapidly becoming essential in the industry—setting the stage for meaningful long-term salary growth as they work toward achieving fellowship status.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Colorado Springs in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Colorado Springs?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Colorado Springs?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Colorado Springs?
How do I become a actuary in Colorado?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 Colorado Springs. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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