Actuary Pay

Jacksonville vs Jonesboro: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Jacksonville, AR
$100,200
$48.17/hr
Jonesboro, AR
$102,315
$49.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJacksonville, ARJonesboro, AR
Median Salary$100,200$102,315
Hourly Rate$48.17$49.19
Entry Level (P10)$62,558$62,041
25th Percentile$75,775$76,264
75th Percentile$128,256$130,963
Top Earner (P90)$155,310$158,587
Total Employed721
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jacksonville ($100,200) and Jonesboro ($102,315) actuary salaries.JacksonvilleJonesboroMedian Salary$100,200$102,315Entry Level (P10)$62,558$62,041Top Earner (P90)$155,310$158,587US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Jacksonville and Jonesboro is $2,115 (2.11%). 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 Jacksonville spans $92,752,Jonesboro spans $96,546. Jonesboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$62,558
P25$75,775
Median$100,200
P75$128,256
P90 (Top)$155,310
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 2.11% more than Jacksonville ($115,305 effective).

Jacksonville
Nominal: $100,200
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $115,305
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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville grew 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Jonesboro over the same period.

Jacksonville, AR

+10.3%

$87,998 (2024) → $97,093 (2025)

Jonesboro, AR

+10.3%

$89,854 (2024) → $99,142 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Jacksonville or Jonesboro?

Jonesboro has a higher median actuary salary at $102,315/year, compared to Jacksonville at $100,200/year — a difference of $2,115 (2.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jacksonville and Jonesboro?

Jacksonville actuarys earn $48.17/hr while Jonesboro hygienists earn $49.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jacksonville to Jonesboro as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jacksonville and Jonesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jacksonville = $115,305, Jonesboro = $117,739), job availability (7 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $62,558 in Jacksonville and $62,041 in Jonesboro. The Jacksonville 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