Actuary Salary in Colorado: $130,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 32 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $130,327/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $124,121 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Arvada ($139,768), Thornton ($138,643), Westminster ($137,264).
In 2026, the average median salary for actuaries in Colorado is projected to be $130,327, which is slightly below the national median of $134,160, reflecting a difference of -2.9%. The highest paying city for actuaries is Arvada, with a salary of $144,241, while Colorado Springs offers the lowest at $117,400, resulting in a salary gap of $26,841. This variance can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for actuarial services, and the concentration of industry opportunities in urban areas versus more rural settings. Colorado has specific state licensing requirements for actuaries, which typically include passing a series of examinations and maintaining continuing education. The demand for actuaries is driven by a growing need for risk assessment in various sectors, including insurance, finance, and healthcare, contributing to an overall job growth rate of 3.20% annually. Currently, there are approximately 926 actuaries employed in the state, with projected strong areas for growth in cities like Thornton at $143,080, Westminster at $141,656, and Pueblo at $141,645. These dynamics create a positive job outlook for actuaries in Colorado, making it an important consideration for those entering the field.
Colorado Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $70,958 (lowest entry-level) to $223,572 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado actuaries earn 2.86% less than the national median ($-3,833/year difference).
Colorado Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Colorado range from $82,184 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $200,290 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $130,327. The Colorado median is $3,833 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $62.66/hr. Approximately 926 actuarys are employed across 32 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$115,970
2025 BLS Actual
$126,286
2026 Current Est.
$130,327
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,286 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 8.9% from $115,970 (2019) to $126,286 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,528 (15.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $117,400 |
| Aurora | $121,564 |
| Denver | $124,294 |
| Centennial | $125,432 |
| Golden | $129,656 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvada | $144,241 | 105 | $137,372 |
| Thornton | $143,080 | 105 | $136,267 |
| Westminster | $141,656 | 105 | $134,910 |
| Pueblo | $141,645 | 105 | $134,900 |
| Boulder | $141,645 | 105 | $134,900 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $82,184 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $130,327 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $200,290 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 32 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arvada | $144,241 |
| 2 | Thornton | $143,080 |
| 3 | Westminster | $141,656 |
| 4 | Pueblo | $141,645 |
| 5 | Boulder | $141,645 |
| 6 | Lakewood | $140,973 |
| 7 | Greeley | $139,824 |
| 8 | Parker | $139,633 |
| 9 | Fort Collins | $139,574 |
| 10 | Erie | $139,380 |
| 11 | Windsor | $139,030 |
| 12 | Castle Rock | $138,762 |
| 13 | Broomfield | $138,717 |
| 14 | Longmont | $138,673 |
| 15 | Englewood | $137,609 |
| 16 | Commerce City | $136,653 |
| 17 | Lafayette | $136,330 |
| 18 | Loveland | $136,118 |
| 19 | Wheat Ridge | $135,543 |
| 20 | Brighton | $134,276 |
| 21 | Littleton | $133,827 |
| 22 | Fountain | $133,750 |
| 23 | Northglenn | $133,619 |
| 24 | Steamboat Springs | $132,834 |
| 25 | Durango | $131,998 |
| 26 | Louisville | $131,224 |
| 27 | Evans | $130,461 |
| 28 | Golden | $129,656 |
| 29 | Centennial | $125,432 |
| 30 | Denver | $124,294 |
| 31 | Aurora | $121,564 |
| 32 | Colorado Springs | $117,400 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Compare Cities in Colorado
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Colorado?
How does Colorado actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Colorado?
How many actuaries are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for actuaries?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 32 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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