Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Cedar City, UT: $79,718 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Cedar City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,718 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,262 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,853) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar City, Utah, new graduates entering the actuarial field can expect a starting salary around $79,718 in 2026. This figure stands in contrast to the overall median salary for actuaries in the area, which is projected to be $129,853. The gap between entry-level compensation and the city median reflects the typical progression that many actuaries experience in their early years. As entry-level professionals gain experience, salaries often rise significantly; moving from the 10th percentile at $79,718 to the 25th percentile at $102,225 is a realistic expectation within the first few years, making Cedar City a viable market for aspiring actuaries seeking initial employment.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar City
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 Cedar City
Entry-level actuarys in Cedar City, UT typically start between $79,718 and $102,225 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,555 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,853 — 3.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Utah of $45,000 represents just 56.45% of the starting actuary pay ($79,718/year) in Cedar City. 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 Cedar City
- 1Research the Cedar City market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $79,718 to $102,225, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar City, 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 Cedar City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar City'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 Cedar City is $121,555 ( 152.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,718, experienced hygienists can earn up to $201,273.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,767
2025 BLS Actual
$77,246
2026 Current Est.
$79,718
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,767 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,917 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,194 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,551 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,718 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,269 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar City, UT grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,767 in 2019 to $77,246 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,269. New graduates entering the Cedar City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar City 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 Cedar City
Several employers actively recruit new actuaries in Cedar City, particularly large life insurers like Prudential and MetLife, which often have structured programs that integrate exam study time into their onboarding processes. Health insurers also hire entry-level actuaries, providing additional opportunities. Consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW are known to seek out candidates who have obtained their ASA credentials, typically commanding higher starting salaries. To enhance earning potential in the market, entry-level actuaries should aim to complete the necessary exams and earn VEE credits in economics, accounting, and math. Understanding that each passed exam can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to their base salary is crucial for career strategy. In these initial years, realistic growth in salary is strongly tied to exam progress, with those who achieve their Fellow status seeing significant long-term benefits, especially in consulting roles that typically offer higher pay compared to insurance companies.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
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 Cedar City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar City 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