Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lewiston, ID: $65,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lewiston, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,673 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lewiston's local price level (BEA RPP 95.3 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,912 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,434) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the actuarial profession in Lewiston, Idaho, can expect a starting salary close to $65,673 based on 2026 projections. This figure represents a significant gap when compared to the city's projected median annual salary of $100,434, indicating that early-career professionals might find themselves earning roughly 35% less than the local average. However, as they gain experience, they have the potential to reach the 25th percentile earning of $78,145 in just a few years. The market in Lewiston, while offering competitive entry-level salaries, aligns with a broader trend of gradual salary growth; therefore, it remains a viable option for new actuary graduates seeking opportunities in a smaller city.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lewiston
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 Lewiston
Entry-level actuarys in Lewiston, ID typically start between $65,673 and $78,145 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $90,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,434 — 25.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Idaho of $40,000 represents just 60.91% of the starting actuary pay ($65,673/year) in Lewiston. 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 Lewiston
- 1Research the Lewiston market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $65,673 to $78,145, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lewiston'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 Lewiston is $90,000 ( 137.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,673, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,673.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,533
2025 BLS Actual
$63,637
2026 Current Est.
$65,673
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,533 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,237 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,053 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,775 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lewiston, ID grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,533 in 2019 to $63,637 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,775. New graduates entering the Lewiston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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 Lewiston
In Lewiston, potential employers scouting for entry-level actuaries include large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which actively recruit through university partnerships and provide structured study time for exams. Health insurance providers and consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer also source actuarial talent, emphasizing the need for professional credentials. To enhance their starting pay, new grads should focus on obtaining their ASA designation, which typically takes 4-5 years of exam preparation; each passed exam adds $3,000 to $8,000 to their base salary. With the demand for analytics and data science skills on the rise, early-career actuaries in ID should strategically engage in continuous education, aiming for fellowship status to unlock higher earnings potential. While the initial salary may seem modest, the continuous growth trajectory in the first 1-3 years makes pursuing an actuarial career in Lewiston a promising endeavor.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
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 Lewiston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lewiston 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