Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Littleton, CO: $84,859 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Littleton, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,859 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Littleton's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,818 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($133,827) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective actuaries entering the job market in 2026 can expect an entry-level actuary salary in Littleton, Colorado, starting at around $84,859. This initial pay is substantially lower than the area median salary of $133,827, highlighting a typical gap new graduates will face early in their careers. However, through the first few years of work, ambitious actuaries often see their salaries progress as they gain experience and pass required exams. For instance, achieving certificates such as the ASA can elevate earnings closer to the $102,170 mark after approximately 2-3 years, setting a strong foundation for further growth as professionals aim toward the median salary within a few years. Given the current 3.20% growth trajectory anticipated for this role, Littleton represents a favorable market for fresh graduates looking to establish their actuarial careers.
About the Littleton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Littleton
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 Littleton
Entry-level actuarys in Littleton, CO typically start between $84,859 and $102,170 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $122,572 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $133,827 — 0.25% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 70.71% of the starting actuary pay ($84,859/year) in Littleton. 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 Littleton
- 1Research the Littleton market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $84,859 to $102,170, 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 Littleton, 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 Littleton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Littleton'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 Littleton is $122,572 ( 144.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,859, experienced hygienists can earn up to $207,431.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,880
2025 BLS Actual
$82,228
2026 Current Est.
$84,859
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Littleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,104 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,205 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,101 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,228 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,859 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,575 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Littleton, CO grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,880 in 2019 to $82,228 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,575. New graduates entering the Littleton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Littleton 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 Littleton
In Littleton, several employers are actively seeking new talent in the actuarial realm, offering promising opportunities for recent graduates. Large life insurance companies such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual frequently recruit students directly from campuses. They provide structured tracks that include designated periods for exam preparation, which is essential for advancing in the field. Health insurance firms also hire entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher starting salaries for ASA-credentialed candidates, reflecting the premium placed on advanced qualifications. New graduates can enhance their starting actuary salary in CO significantly by completing VEE requirements and progressively passing actuarial exams. Each passed exam could translate to a salary bump of $3,000 to $8,000, making exam progression a critical element in earning potential. Realistically, actuaries in their first 1-3 years in Littleton can aspire to see their salaries move steadily upward as they tackle the necessary qualifications in a thriving market.
More salary data for Littleton, 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 Littleton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Littleton 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