Actuary Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $49.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Fort Smith, AR runs $49.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,155 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,293 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, the projected median hourly pay for actuaries is $49.11, which falls significantly below the national median of $64.50. This discrepancy reflects the overall cost of living in the area, giving actuaries working part-time, perhaps three days a week, or those in per-diem roles a clear insight into their potential earnings. For those operating within typical environments—such as insurance company actuarial pricing departments, consultancy engagements, or remote modeling—the hourly pay range stretches from $29.66 for entry-level positions to $76.12 for top earners. While these figures are estimated from annual salary data, they highlight the reality of compensation for actuaries in Fort Smith, AR, compared to national standards.
About the Fort Smith Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.66 | $237.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.51 | $292.10 |
| Median (P50) | $49.11 | $392.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.86 | $502.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.12 | $608.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $49.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.11/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $102,155 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,935. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,964.52 | $8,513 | $102,155 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,178.71 | $5,108 | $61,293 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $785.81 | $3,405 | $40,862 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Fort Smith) | $49.11 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $102,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.86% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.20% above the Arkansas state average of $100,943.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.11/hr = $61,293/year (purchasing power: $70,533).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,155/year (purchasing power: $117,554).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Fort Smith grew 20.0% from $39.66/hr (2019) to $47.59/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.68/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Fort Smith
Given the unique nature of the actuarial profession, part-time actuaries in Fort Smith working 24 hours a week would find themselves earning significantly less than their full-time counterparts, translating to a reduced annual income that reflects the local market conditions. Contractual or per-diem work is generally less common for junior actuaries; however, seasoned professionals, particularly those with FSA or FCAS designations, can command hourly consulting fees ranging from $250 to $500 and upwards for expert witness work, which can reach $800. Employer type also plays a large role in compensation; actuaries working for life insurance firms like Prudential or MetLife may experience different hourly rates compared to those at property and casualty insurers like State Farm. While some actuaries might choose lower hourly rates for the benefits associated with health insurance positions, others might prioritize higher pay without those benefits. For those negotiating actuarial roles in Fort Smith, being aware of local industry standards and the varying compensation structures will be crucial to securing a competitive hourly rate.
More salary data for Fort Smith, 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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Smith 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