Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lakewood, CO: $87,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lakewood, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,538 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lakewood's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,370 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($140,973) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a new graduate stepping into the role of an actuary in Lakewood, Colorado, can expect to earn around $87,538 as an entry-level salary. While this figure is a starting point, it also highlights a significant gap compared to the city median of $140,973, underscoring the progression that can occur with experience and credentialing. Early-career actuaries have the potential to increase their earnings to $106,872 at the 25th percentile, and as they gain more expertise and pass additional exams, many can aim to reach the median salary within three to five years. Lakewood currently presents a promising market for aspiring actuaries, with a healthy growth rate of 3.20% projected, making it an attractive destination for fresh graduates looking to start their careers in actuarial science.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lakewood
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 Lakewood
Entry-level actuarys in Lakewood, CO typically start between $87,538 and $106,872 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $130,970 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $140,973 — 5.08% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 68.54% of the starting actuary pay ($87,538/year) in Lakewood. 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 Lakewood
- 1Research the Lakewood market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $87,538 to $106,872, 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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lakewood'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 Lakewood is $130,970 ( 149.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,538, experienced hygienists can earn up to $218,508.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,023
2025 BLS Actual
$84,824
2026 Current Est.
$87,538
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,023 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,286 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,295 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,472 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,824 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,340 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lakewood, CO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,023 in 2019 to $84,824 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,340. New graduates entering the Lakewood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Employers in Lakewood actively enlist recent graduates, particularly notable life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often have structured campus recruitment initiatives. Health insurers also represent a significant employment base for entry-level actuaries. Furthermore, consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW are known to recruit ASA-credentialed analysts at competitive salaries. To enhance their starting actuary pay in CO, new grads should focus on earning a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as mathematics or actuarial science and passing necessary actuarial exams through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Progressing through the ASA and potentially to FSA is key, as each successfully completed exam can yield increases of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. For those embarking on an actuarial career, developing skills in predictive analytics and data science can further boost long-term earning potential and career growth in the first few years.
More salary data for Lakewood, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Lakewood in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Lakewood?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Lakewood?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Lakewood?
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 Lakewood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood 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