Actuary Salary in Arkansas: $100,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $100,879/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $116,086 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Little Rock ($102,318), Jonesboro ($99,142), Fort Smith ($98,987).
In Arkansas, the average median salary for actuaries in 2026 is projected to be $100,879, which is significantly lower than the national median of $134,160, reflecting a difference of 24.8%. The highest paying city in the state is Little Rock, where actuaries can expect to earn around $105,592, while Van Buren is at the lower end with a projected salary of $93,686. This gap of $11,906 can be attributed to various factors, including local cost of living, demand for actuarial services, and the presence of major employers in larger cities. Arkansas actuaries must comply with state licensing requirements and stay updated on specific scope of practice laws. The demand for actuaries in the state is supported by a growth rate of 3.20%, indicating a steady expansion in job opportunities. Overall, the total number of employed actuaries in Arkansas stands at 242, highlighting a small yet stable workforce. Other promising cities include Jonesboro at $102,315, Fort Smith at $102,155, Fayetteville at $101,634, and Rogers at $101,555, all contributing to a diverse employment landscape for professionals in this field.
Arkansas Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $57,691 (lowest entry-level) to $163,668 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas actuaries earn 24.81% less than the national median ($-33,281/year difference).
Arkansas Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Arkansas range from $60,751 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $156,249 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,879. The Arkansas median is $33,281 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $48.50/hr. Approximately 242 actuarys are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$81,471
2025 BLS Actual
$97,751
2026 Current Est.
$100,879
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,471 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,712 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,231 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,593 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,751 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $81,471 (2019) to $97,751 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,636 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $105,592 | 86.9 | $121,510 |
| Jonesboro | $102,315 | 86.9 | $117,739 |
| Fort Smith | $102,155 | 86.9 | $117,555 |
| Fayetteville | $101,634 | 86.9 | $116,955 |
| Rogers | $101,555 | 86.9 | $116,864 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,751 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,879 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $156,249 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $105,592 |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $102,315 |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $102,155 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | $101,634 |
| 5 | Rogers | $101,555 |
| 6 | Springdale | $101,483 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $100,200 |
| 8 | Bentonville | $99,709 |
| 9 | Benton | $98,877 |
| 10 | Hot Springs | $98,783 |
| 11 | Paragould | $98,595 |
| 12 | Pine Bluff | $98,517 |
| 13 | North Little Rock | $98,446 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $98,063 |
| 15 | Conway | $97,799 |
| 16 | Russellville | $97,546 |
| 17 | Cabot | $97,107 |
| 18 | Texarkana | $97,083 |
| 19 | Searcy | $96,092 |
| 20 | Bryant | $95,371 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $93,686 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Arkansas?
How many actuaries are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas 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 Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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, 4-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