Actuary Pay

Bentonville vs Jonesboro: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Bentonville, AR and Jonesboro, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bentonville, AR
$99,709
$47.94/hr
Jonesboro, AR
$102,315
$49.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBentonville, ARJonesboro, AR
Median Salary$99,709$102,315
Hourly Rate$47.94$49.19
Entry Level (P10)$57,831$62,041
25th Percentile$77,183$76,264
75th Percentile$127,627$130,963
Top Earner (P90)$154,548$158,587
Total Employed1221
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bentonville ($99,709) and Jonesboro ($102,315) actuary salaries.BentonvilleJonesboroMedian Salary$99,709$102,315Entry Level (P10)$57,831$62,041Top Earner (P90)$154,548$158,587US Median $134,160

Verdict

Jonesboro, AR offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bentonville.

The salary gap between Bentonville and Jonesboro is $2,606 (2.61%). Jonesboro's median is -23.74% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bentonville spans $96,717,Jonesboro spans $96,546. Bentonville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bentonville
P10 (Entry)$57,831
P25$77,183
Median$99,709
P75$127,627
P90 (Top)$154,548
Jonesboro
P10 (Entry)$62,041
P25$76,264
Median$102,315
P75$130,963
P90 (Top)$158,587

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jonesboro ($117,739 effective) pays 2.61% more than Bentonville ($114,740 effective).

Bentonville
Nominal: $99,709
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $114,740
Jonesboro
Nominal: $102,315
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $117,739

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bentonville if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Jonesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,315/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($158,587)
  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,739)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Bentonville grew 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Jonesboro over the same period.

Bentonville, AR

+10.3%

$87,566 (2024) → $96,617 (2025)

Jonesboro, AR

+10.3%

$89,854 (2024) → $99,142 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Bentonville or Jonesboro?

Jonesboro has a higher median actuary salary at $102,315/year, compared to Bentonville at $99,709/year — a difference of $2,606 (2.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bentonville and Jonesboro?

Bentonville actuarys earn $47.94/hr while Jonesboro hygienists earn $49.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bentonville to Jonesboro as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bentonville and Jonesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bentonville = $114,740, Jonesboro = $117,739), job availability (12 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Bentonville vs Jonesboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $57,831 in Bentonville and $62,041 in Jonesboro. The Jonesboro area offers higher starting salaries.
MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov