Actuary Hourly Pay in Helena, MT: $48.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Helena, MT runs $48.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,705 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Helena's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,417 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Helena, Montana, the projected median hourly pay for actuaries in 2026 stands at $48.41, which is notably lower than the national average of $64.50. This hourly rate shapes the earning potential for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work, typically common in environments such as insurance company actuarial pricing departments or consulting firm engagements. For workers in these contexts, an hourly pay that ranges from $31.13 for entry-level positions up to $75.05 for top earners creates varied prospects in the local job market. Such estimates derived from annual salary data suggest that even part-time employments—essentially three days a week—can yield a decent income for those skilled in actuarial tasks, although they operate at a fraction of what might be expected in more lucrative markets.
About the Helena Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.13 | $249.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.42 | $299.36 |
| Median (P50) | $48.41 | $387.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.97 | $495.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.05 | $600.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Helena
Based on $48.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.41/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Helena, MT can expect to earn approximately $100,695 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,093. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Helena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Helena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,936.44 | $8,391 | $100,695 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,161.87 | $5,035 | $60,417 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $774.58 | $3,357 | $40,278 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Helena) | $48.41 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Helena, MT earn a median of $100,705 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.94% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.20% below the Montana state average of $105,120.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.41/hr = $60,417/year (purchasing power: $62,804).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,695/year (purchasing power: $104,673).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Helena grew 20.0% from $39.10/hr (2019) to $46.91/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Helena
Part-time actuaries in Helena, working 24 hours a week, would take home approximately $37,540 annually based on the prevailing hourly wage, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem and consulting roles present different scenarios; while fewer opportunities exist for junior actuaries, experienced professionals—especially those with FSA or FCAS credentials—often command fees ranging from $250 to $500 per hour, with expert witness testimony gigs drawing even higher rates of $400 to $800 per hour. Hourly rates can greatly fluctuate depending on the employer type; consulting firms like Mercer and Aon generally offer higher pay rates compared to life and health insurers such as Prudential or UnitedHealth, which might provide better benefits at lower hourly rates. Actuaries must weigh trade-offs between higher hourly salaries and crucial benefits like health insurance in their career considerations. For those operating freelance or negotiating contracts in Helena, understanding local compensation standards and employer preferences can enhance their negotiation strategies significantly.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Helena. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Helena 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