Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Tooele, UT: $85,161 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Tooele, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,161 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tooele's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $86,810 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,271) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Tooele, Utah, new graduates pursuing a career as an actuary can expect an entry-level salary that begins at approximately $85,161 in 2026. While this figure is a significant starting point, it's essential to recognize that it represents a gap from the city's median salary of $129,271. For those in their early careers, the trajectory can be promising, with upward movement toward the 25th percentile at $101,048 potentially achievable within the first few years. Given the projected growth rate of 3.20% annually, the Tooele market currently offers reasonable opportunities for new actuaries, especially for those seeking to establish a foothold in this well-compensated profession.
About the Tooele Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tooele
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 Tooele
Entry-level actuarys in Tooele, UT typically start between $85,161 and $101,048 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $115,210 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,271 — 3.64% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Utah of $45,000 represents just 52.84% of the starting actuary pay ($85,161/year) in Tooele. 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 Tooele
- 1Research the Tooele market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $85,161 to $101,048, 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 Tooele, 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 Tooele for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tooele'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 Tooele is $115,210 ( 135.28%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,161, experienced hygienists can earn up to $200,371.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,121
2025 BLS Actual
$82,520
2026 Current Est.
$85,161
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Tooele (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,121 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,368 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,295 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,161 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,886 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Tooele, UT grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,121 in 2019 to $82,520 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,886. New graduates entering the Tooele job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tooele 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 Tooele
New grads aiming for positions in Tooele can find potential employment with major life insurers like Prudential or MetLife, which actively recruit aspiring actuaries and often provide structured pathways for exam preparation. Health insurance companies and consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW frequently seek entry-level talent as well, particularly candidates who are pursuing the Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) credential. To enhance earning potential in UT, acquiring a relevant Bachelor’s degree and passing actuarial exams is crucial, as each completed exam can yield an additional $3,000 to $8,000 to base compensation. As new professionals consider their career strategies, focusing on timely exam completion and developing skills in predictive analytics and data science will be vital. Realistically, individuals should anticipate gradual salary growth as they progress through the crucial first three years of their careers, aligning with the expectations of the local market.
More salary data for Tooele, 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 Tooele. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tooele 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