Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Provo, UT: $80,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Provo, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,380 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Provo's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,937 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,061) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Provo, Utah, the prospects for new actuarial graduates entering the workforce in 2026 look promising, particularly with a starting salary pegged at approximately $80,380. Compared to the city's median annual salary of $131,061 for actuaries, entry-level positions exhibit a notable gap, reflecting the potential for growth as individuals gain experience and credentials. Over the early years of their careers, new graduates can expect their pay to rise steadily. As they move from the entry proximity at the 10th percentile up to the 25th percentile, which is projected at around $95,756, effective career development and continued education can significantly aid in closing that initial salary gap. Given these figures and the projected growth rate of 3.20% annually, Provo presents a favorable job market for new actuaries ready to embark on their professional journeys in 2026.
About the Provo Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Provo
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 Provo
Entry-level actuarys in Provo, UT typically start between $80,380 and $95,756 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $122,764 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,061 — 2.31% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Utah of $45,000 represents just 55.98% of the starting actuary pay ($80,380/year) in Provo. 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 Provo
- 1Research the Provo market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $80,380 to $95,756, 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 Provo, 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 Provo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Provo'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 Provo is $122,764 ( 152.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,380, experienced hygienists can earn up to $203,144.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,297
2025 BLS Actual
$77,888
2026 Current Est.
$80,380
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Provo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,457 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,711 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,137 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,726 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,223 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,953 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Provo, UT grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,297 in 2019 to $77,888 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,953. New graduates entering the Provo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Provo 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 Provo
Several employers in Provo actively seek new graduates within the actuarial field, providing opportunities for those starting their careers. Large life insurers like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual often recruit through campus programs, ensuring that new hires have structured study time for their exams, which is integral to career advancement. Health insurance firms also hire entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW often target candidates with Associate credentials, offering higher salaries for those who hold these qualifications. To enhance starting pay in Utah, aspiring actuaries should aim for a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields like mathematics, statistics, or finance and stay proactive about passing actuarial exams from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). The first few years in the profession often hinge on exam progression, where passing an exam can yield salary additions of $3,000 to $8,000. With a focus on continuing education and emerging skills in predictive analytics and data science, newcomers can realistically anticipate significant salary increases within their first three years in the Provo market.
More salary data for Provo, 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 Provo. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Provo 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