Actuary Salary in Denver, CO: $124,294 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Denver, CO earns a median $124,294/year (≈ $59.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $117,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.8% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, Colorado, the projected median annual actuary salary in 2026 is $124,294, which places it approximately 7.35% lower than the national median of $134,160. Salaries in this field typically range from $81,126 to $189,413, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the local job market. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting both the growth potential and the specialization within the profession. Actuaries in Denver often face the choice between roles centering on life and health insurance (managed primarily by the Society of Actuaries) or property and casualty insurance (dominated by the Casualty Actuarial Society). The decision between these specialties can significantly influence earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,126 | $39.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,042 | $48.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,294 | $59.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,411 | $80.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,413 | $91.06 |
Median Salary Position
7.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,287 (2026 est.). At $124,294, the local median is 7.35% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Actuary Pay Compares
Denver median: $124,294/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $140,923 | -11.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -7.35% less |
Actuarys in Denver, CO earn a median of $124,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.35% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 11.80% below the Colorado state average of $140,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,294 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,500 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,970
2025 BLS Actual
$120,440
2026 Current Est.
$124,294
2019–2027 Growth
+10.6%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Denver (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 | $130,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,294 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,271 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 3.9% from $115,970 (2019) to $120,440 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,271 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,301 (10.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,126 – $100,042 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,042 – $124,294 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,294 – $167,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,411 – $189,413 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Denver
As of 2026, approximately 400 actuaries are employed in Denver, CO, shaping a competitive job market. The cost of living index in the area stands at 105.782, suggesting that while salaries are attractive, they must also contend with higher living expenses, impacting overall purchasing power for actuaries. Leading employers in the city include life insurers like Prudential and health insurance giants such as UnitedHealth and Cigna, which often offer higher compensation packages. Pay differentials are driven by several factors: the progression through actuarial exams typically brings salary increases of $3,000 to $8,000 for each exam passed, while credential levels also play a crucial role; attaining FSA or FCAS status leads to significant salary jumps especially in consulting roles. For actuaries in Denver seeking to maximize their compensation, focusing on in-demand skills, and considering contract opportunities, especially in consulting firms like Aon or Milliman, can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $120,440 for actuariesin the Denver metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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