Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Payson, UT: $74,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Payson, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,497 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Payson's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,940 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($123,601) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For aspiring actuaries in Payson, UT, the projected starting salary in 2026 is $74,497, significantly lower than the city median annual salary of $123,601. This starting pay represents a crucial baseline for new graduates entering the workforce and indicates that they can expect to see a substantial gap in their earnings for the initial years of their careers. Over the first three to five years, as young actuaries progress through the ranks, they will likely see their salaries grow from this entry point to around $98,868, especially as they gain experience and begin to pass actuarial exams. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.20% for the sector, Payson offers a reasonable market for new graduates where diligent learning and exam completion can lead to financial rewards.
About the Payson Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Payson
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 Payson
Entry-level actuarys in Payson, UT typically start between $74,497 and $98,868 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $113,255 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $123,601 — 7.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Utah of $45,000 represents just 60.41% of the starting actuary pay ($74,497/year) in Payson. 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 Payson
- 1Research the Payson market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $74,497 to $98,868, 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 Payson, 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 Payson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Payson'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 Payson is $113,255 ( 152.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,497, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,752.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,591
2025 BLS Actual
$72,187
2026 Current Est.
$74,497
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Payson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,256 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,165 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,881 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Payson, UT grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,591 in 2019 to $72,187 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,881. New graduates entering the Payson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Payson 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 Payson
The primary employers for entry-level positions in Payson include large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which recruit through campus pipelines and provide structured study time for actuarial exams. Health insurers also hire early-career actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer tend to offer higher starting salaries, particularly for those with ASA credentials. To enhance their starting pay, new graduates should focus on obtaining relevant credentials, including a Bachelor's degree in fields like actuarial science, finance, or statistics, and passing key actuarial exams. Each exam passed can add between $3,000 and $8,000 to their base salary, making the exam progression a critical factor in early-career compensation. Furthermore, developing skills in predictive analytics and data science is increasingly beneficial. Overall, realistic expectations for salary growth in the first two to three years can align with the market trends in Payson, especially for those committed to advancing their actuarial qualifications and securing their place in a competitive field.
More salary data for Payson, 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 Payson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Payson 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