Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Gillette, WY: $64,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Gillette, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,943 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gillette's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,790 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,147) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the 2026 starting actuary salary in Gillette projected at $64,943, new graduates can expect to enter a profession that offers steady growth and competitive pay. The city’s median annual salary of $103,147 highlights a significant gap that early-career professionals will need to navigate as they gain experience in the field. Over the first few years, an individual's salary could realistically increase from this entry-level figure through to around $78,406 as they achieve early milestones in their actuarial exams. Given Gillette's lower cost of living index at 95.8 compared to the national average, this market presents a reasonable opportunity for recent graduates eager to establish themselves within the industry.
About the Gillette Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gillette
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 Gillette
Entry-level actuarys in Gillette, WY typically start between $64,943 and $78,406 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $94,935 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,147 — 23.12% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Wyoming of $38,000 represents just 58.51% of the starting actuary pay ($64,943/year) in Gillette. 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 Gillette
- 1Research the Gillette market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $64,943 to $78,406, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gillette, 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 Gillette for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gillette'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 Gillette is $94,935 ( 146.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,943, experienced hygienists can earn up to $159,878.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,948
2025 BLS Actual
$62,929
2026 Current Est.
$64,943
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Gillette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,885 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,667 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,475 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,374 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,093 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,021 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Gillette, WY grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,948 in 2019 to $62,929 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,021. New graduates entering the Gillette job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gillette 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 Gillette
In Gillette, several prominent employers actively recruit entry-level actuaries, significantly influencing starting pay scales. Large life insurance firms, such as Prudential and MetLife, typically source candidates directly from university programs, offering structured exam study time that can enhance a new grad's salary potential. Health insurers also seek entry-level talent, while consulting firms—like Mercer and Aon—tend to hire analysts with ground-level actuarial knowledge, providing better compensation for those pursuing the ASA credential. Those who advance through their exams can expect salary boosts, as each passed exam can add $3,000 to $8,000 to their base pay. New actuaries can set realistic expectations for their first three years; acquiring additional qualifications, such as VEE credits in economics or passing SOA exams, becomes essential not only for career advancement but also for increasing earning potential in a competitive field like this.
More salary data for Gillette, WY:
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 Gillette. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gillette 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