Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Draper, UT: $76,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Draper, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,136 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Draper's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,611 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,269) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graduates stepping into the actuarial profession in Draper, Utah can expect an entry-level salary around $76,136, significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $131,269. While this initial figure may seem modest, the growth potential is promising; new actuaries typically progress from the 25th percentile at $95,251 to the median within the first several years. Aspiring actuaries in Draper should feel optimistic about the market, given the stable demand for skilled professionals in the industry. As these new grads gain experience and begin passing actuarial exams, they can look forward to enhancing their earnings and moving closer to the upper salary range of $203,467 that seasoned actuaries can achieve.
About the Draper Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Draper
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 Draper
Entry-level actuarys in Draper, UT typically start between $76,136 and $95,251 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $127,331 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,269 — 2.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Utah of $45,000 represents just 59.10% of the starting actuary pay ($76,136/year) in Draper. 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 Draper
- 1Research the Draper market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $76,136 to $95,251, 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 Draper, 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 Draper for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Draper'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 Draper is $127,331 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,136, experienced hygienists can earn up to $203,467.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,902
2025 BLS Actual
$73,775
2026 Current Est.
$76,136
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Draper (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,902 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,399 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,775 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,572 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Draper, UT grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,902 in 2019 to $73,775 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,572. New graduates entering the Draper job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Draper 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 Draper
In Draper, various organizations are actively seeking freshly credentialed actuaries. Major life insurers like Prudential and MetLife often recruit directly from campuses, providing structured exam preparation as part of their employment package. Health insurance companies also play a vital role in hiring entry-level analysts. For those considering consulting, firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW tend to offer higher starting salaries that reflect their demand for candidates with ASA credentials. Earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science is fundamental, as is passing initial actuarial exams aligned with the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). With each passed exam contributing an estimated $3,000 to $8,000 in increased salary, early-career actuaries can realistically anticipate a gradual salary growth trajectory as they work towards becoming ASA or FSA credentialed. Building skills in predictive analytics and data science is also increasingly essential, ensuring that Draper’s new actuaries remain competitive in a dynamic job market.
More salary data for Draper, 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 Draper. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Draper 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