Actuary Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $101,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $101,634/year (≈ $48.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $116,955 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, actuaries are expected to earn a median annual salary of $101,634 in 2026, reflecting the specific demands of the local market and the overall economic climate. The projected salary range spans from $60,523 at the 10th percentile to $157,534 at the 90th percentile, indicating a noticeable difference in compensation based on experience and specialization within the field. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, showcasing how local firms compete for skilled practitioners. With a modest growth rate of 3.20% anticipated over the next five years, the local job market for actuaries shows potential stability, albeit at a lower compensation level compared to the national median of $134,160 for the same period.
About the Fayetteville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,523 | $29.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,800 | $37.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,634 | $48.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,092 | $62.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,534 | $75.74 |
Median Salary Position
24.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,011 (2026 est.). At $101,634, the local median is 24.24% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Actuary Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $101,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $100,928 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -24.24% less |
Actuarys in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $101,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.24% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.70% above the Arkansas state average of $100,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $101,634 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,955 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,082
2025 BLS Actual
$98,483
2026 Current Est.
$101,634
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,082 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,226 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,354 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,257 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,483 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,887 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $82,082 (2019) to $98,483 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,887 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,805 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $60,523 – $78,800 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,800 – $101,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,634 – $130,092 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,092 – $157,534 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Fayetteville
Analyzing the job market in Fayetteville reveals a competitive landscape for actuaries, with only 18 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 86.9, suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the local economy offers a reasonable balance between earnings and living expenses. Among local employers, consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer are likely to offer higher salaries compared to traditional life and health insurers. The variation in pay primarily stems from exam progression, credential levels, and the type of insurer, with consulting roles providing enhanced pay through signing bonuses for credential achievements. To maximize earning potential in Fayetteville beyond the median salary, actuaries might consider specializing in areas like predictive analytics or advanced data science, gaining skills that are increasingly sought after in a competitive marketplace.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,483 for actuariesin the Fayetteville metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fayetteville 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