Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Cabot, AR: $63,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Cabot, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,165 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cabot's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,687 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,107) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the actuarial field in Cabot, Arkansas, the starting point for salaries in 2026 presents a mixed picture. With an entry-level actuary salary estimated at $63,165, early-career professionals may find themselves facing a substantial gap compared to the median annual salary of $97,107 in the city. As individuals progress in their careers over the next three to five years, they can expect growth, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, with salaries reaching around $73,455 as they enhance their skills and pass actuarial exams. This is a favorable market for new grads, particularly for those willing to invest the time and effort required to obtain actuarial credentials, which will ultimately help them close the pay gap and improve their earning potential.
About the Cabot Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cabot
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cabot
Entry-level actuarys in Cabot, AR typically start between $63,165 and $73,455 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $87,351 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,107 — 27.62% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Arkansas of $36,000 represents just 56.99% of the starting actuary pay ($63,165/year) in Cabot. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cabot
- 1Research the Cabot market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $63,165 to $73,455, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cabot, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cabot for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cabot's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Cabot is $87,351 ( 138.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,165, experienced hygienists can earn up to $150,516.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,526
2025 BLS Actual
$61,206
2026 Current Est.
$63,165
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Cabot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,526 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,437 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,901 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,721 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,206 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,186 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Cabot, AR grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,526 in 2019 to $61,206 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,186. New graduates entering the Cabot job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cabot 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.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Cabot
In Cabot, prospective employers typically include large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which actively hire new graduates while providing structured exam study time. Health insurers in the area also seek entry-level actuarial talent. For those looking to start strong in their careers, obtaining a relevant bachelor’s degree in fields such as mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science is critical. Continuing education through passing the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams, coupled with gaining Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credits in areas like economics and accounting, can significantly impact starting actuary pay in AR. As new actuaries progress in their careers, each passed exam typically translates into an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base salary. The first few years can yield realistic salary growth that reflects the industry’s exam-driven compensation structure, especially for those who aim for higher credentials like the Associate (ASA) or Fellow (FSA).
More salary data for Cabot, AR:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cabot. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cabot is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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