Senior Actuary Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $216,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Fort Collins, CO — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $216,339/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Fort Collins's price premium (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $206,037 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Collins, CO, experienced actuaries can anticipate substantial earnings, with median annual salaries projected at $139,574 for 2026. Those reaching the upper echelons of their field can achieve impressive paychecks, with the top earners potentially earning $216,339 annually, reflecting the premium employers are willing to pay for advanced expertise and experience. This substantial gap between the median income and the salaries of top-tier professionals underscores the value of specialized skills and the strategic navigation of an actuarial career. To reach this upper bracket, actuaries typically need over seven years of experience, advanced professional credentials (such as ASA or FSA), and often a focused expertise in one of the high-demand areas of actuarial practice.
About the Fort Collins Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Fort Collins earn between $178,655 and $216,339 per year (2026 est.). This $131,824 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Fort Collins median of $139,574 sits 4.04% above the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Fort Collins | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $139,574 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $178,655 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $216,339 | $221,983 |
In Fort Collins, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Fort Collins
Advanced Certifications in Colorado
CO actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $139,574 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Fort Collins employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Fort Collins command premium compensation, often reaching the $178,655–$216,339 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Fort Collins metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Fort Collins with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Actuaries in Colorado who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Actuary Career & Wage Growth Path in Fort Collins
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedFort Collins ranks #9 of 32 Colorado cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $216,339).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Fort Collins ($216,339) is 8.01% above the Colorado average P90 ($200,291).
2019 BLS Actual
$188,678
2025 BLS Actual
$209,631
2026 Current Est.
$216,339
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $188,678 | Actual |
| 2020 | $191,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $201,562 | Actual |
| 2022 | $194,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $203,988 | Actual |
| 2024 | $201,568 | Actual |
| 2025 | $209,631 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $216,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $223,262 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Fort Collins saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $188,678 in 2019 to $209,631 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.20% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $223,262 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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.
Maximizing Your Actuary Earnings in Fort Collins
Compensation levels for senior actuaries can vary significantly based on their specialization and the type of employer they work for in Fort Collins. Areas such as life and annuity, health, pension and retirement, and property & casualty (P&C) are known to command higher pay, especially with factors like predictive analytics and capital modeling becoming increasingly relevant. Employers in sectors like health insurance (e.g., UnitedHealth, Cigna) and consulting firms (e.g., Mercer, WTW) typically provide more competitive salaries than traditional P&C insurers. Career advancement pathways include progressing from actuarial analyst to ASA and eventually to FSA / FCAS, with each step often accompanied by significant salary enhancements. Furthermore, advanced achievements like passing actuarial exams and acquiring VEE credits can yield immediate financial benefits, as each completed milestone typically translates into a notable increase in base salary. The cumulative effect of these credentials and specializations highlights the dynamic potential for senior actuary pay in CO, encouraging continual professional development.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Fort Collins in 2026?
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Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Fort Collins?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Fort Collins?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $209,631 for actuaries in the Fort Collins metro area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Collins 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