Actuary Salary in Emporia, KS: $103,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Emporia, KS earns a median $103,085/year (≈ $49.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $113,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the actuary salary in Emporia, Kansas, is projected to reach a median of $103,085, with a salary range spanning from $67,929 at the 10th percentile to $159,782 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the economic context for actuarial professionals in this area. Compared to the national median salary of $134,160 for the same year, actuaries in Emporia may find themselves earning approximately 23.16% less than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. This suggests that while the prospects for actuaries are stable, local compensation reflects the specific economic realities and demand for actuarial services within Emporia's modest market.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,929 | $32.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,294 | $38.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,085 | $49.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,949 | $63.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,782 | $76.82 |
Median Salary Position
23.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,853 (2026 est.). At $103,085, the local median is 23.16% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Actuary Pay Compares
Emporia median: $103,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $111,685 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -23.16% less |
Actuarys in Emporia, KS earn a median of $103,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.16% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $111,685.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $103,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,254
2025 BLS Actual
$99,889
2026 Current Est.
$103,085
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,254 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,313 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,371 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,205 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,384 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $83,254 (2019) to $99,889 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,384 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,130 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $67,929 – $80,294 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,294 – $103,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,085 – $131,949 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,949 – $159,782 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Emporia
Analyzing the job market, there are currently only five actuaries employed in Emporia, pointing to a tightly-knit profession that may experience fluctuations based on local demand. The cost of living index in Emporia stands at 90.9, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. This can positively impact the purchasing power of professionals in the area despite the comparatively lower salaries. Employers in the region, primarily within life insurance and health insurance sectors, like Prudential and UnitedHealth, offer competitive salaries. One significant factor that influences compensation is the exam progression, where each passed exam can add up to $8,000 to an actuary's base salary. Therefore, aspiring actuaries looking to maximize pay in Emporia might consider focusing on areas with higher demand and pursuing additional credentials that align with specialties like property and casualty insurance or consulting roles, where the compensation contrasts significantly.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
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
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 $99,889 for actuariesin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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