Actuary Salary in Montana: $104,581 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $104,581/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $108,712 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Billings ($105,072), Great Falls ($101,628), Bozeman ($100,272).
In Montana, the average median salary for actuaries in 2026 is projected to be $104,581, which is significantly below the national median of $134,160, representing a difference of -22.0%. Billings offers the highest salary at $108,434, while Kalispell has the lowest at $100,413. This salary gap can largely be attributed to local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of insurance firms and financial institutions in these areas. Montana actuaries must navigate specific state licensing requirements, which include passing several exams and acquiring relevant experience. The practice environment is shaped by state laws that can influence the breadth of services offered, thereby affecting salary potential. The demand for actuaries in Montana is supported by industries such as insurance and healthcare, fueled by a projected annual growth rate of 3.20%. As for the job market, there were 86 actuaries employed in Montana as of the latest projections, with strong regional variations in salary across cities. Alongside Billings, other notable cities include Great Falls at $104,880, Bozeman at $103,481, Missoula at $102,839, and Butte at $102,198. Aspiring actuaries should consider these factors when evaluating career opportunities in the state.
Montana Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $60,165 (lowest entry-level) to $168,074 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana actuaries earn 22.05% less than the national median ($-29,579/year difference).
Montana Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Montana range from $63,675 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $161,943 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,581. The Montana median is $29,579 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $50.28/hr. Approximately 86 actuarys are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,462
2025 BLS Actual
$101,338
2026 Current Est.
$104,581
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,462 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,551 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,552 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,543 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,581 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,928 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $84,462 (2019) to $101,338 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,928 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,466 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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 Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $108,434 | 96.2 | $112,717 |
| Great Falls | $104,880 | 96.2 | $109,023 |
| Bozeman | $103,481 | 96.2 | $107,569 |
| Missoula | $102,839 | 96.2 | $106,901 |
| Butte | $102,198 | 96.2 | $106,235 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,675 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,581 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $161,943 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Montana?
How does Montana actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Montana?
How many actuaries are employed in Montana?
Which Montana 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 Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 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, 2-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