Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Boise, ID: $62,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Boise, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,788 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Boise's local price level (BEA RPP 95.3 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,885 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,256) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the entry-level actuary salary in Boise, Idaho, is projected to start at around $62,788, making it essential for new graduates to have realistic expectations of their first paycheck. While this figure may seem lower than the city median salary of $108,256, it is positioned within a growing market where young professionals can expect to see their earnings rise steadily. Over the first three to five years, actuaries typically advance from entry-level pay to approximately $77,944 at the 25th percentile as they gain experience and potentially pass actuarial exams, thereby narrowing the income gap with more established peers. Thus, for recent grads entering the field, Boise presents a promising environment where career growth is supported by both the local demand for analytical talent and the national trend of a 3.20% annual growth rate in this profession.
About the Boise Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Boise
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 Boise
Entry-level actuarys in Boise, ID typically start between $62,788 and $77,944 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $105,008 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,256 — 19.31% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Idaho of $40,000 represents just 63.71% of the starting actuary pay ($62,788/year) in Boise. 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 Boise
- 1Research the Boise market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $62,788 to $77,944, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Boise, 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 Boise for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Boise'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 Boise is $105,008 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,788, experienced hygienists can earn up to $167,796.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,225
2025 BLS Actual
$60,841
2026 Current Est.
$62,788
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Boise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,986 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,568 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,371 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,159 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,797 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Boise, ID grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,225 in 2019 to $60,841 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,797. New graduates entering the Boise job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise 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 Boise
New graduates can find a variety of employment opportunities in Boise, as several prominent life insurers such as Prudential and MetLife actively recruit entry-level actuaries. These companies often offer structured support, including dedicated time for exam study during work hours. Additionally, consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer are also on the lookout for ASA-credentialed analysts, with a tendency to pay higher starting salaries. The educational foundation of a bachelor’s degree in math, statistics, actuarial science, or finance is crucial, but ongoing professional development through passing exams and earning VEE credits significantly influences new grad actuary pay in ID. Each milestone achieved in the exam process typically adds financial value to a candidate’s base salary, with passed exams leading to an increase of $3,000 to $8,000. Accordingly, entry-level actuaries should be prepared for a career trajectory that emphasizes continuous learning and specialization, particularly in predictive analytics and data science, which are increasingly sought after in the industry.
More salary data for Boise, ID:
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 Boise. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Boise 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