Senior Actuary Salary in Liberal, KS: $161,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Liberal, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $161,423/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Liberal's price premium (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $177,583 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, experienced actuaries are poised to earn substantial salaries, with top earners projected to make up to $161,423 by 2026. For those in the upper echelons, the distinction between the median annual salary of $104,144 and this top-tier pay indicates a significant experience premium. Reaching this level of compensation in Liberal typically involves years of dedicated work along with advanced credentials such as the Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) designation. Specialists who excel in high-demand areas, such as predictive analytics or enterprise risk management, often find themselves well-positioned to command these superior salaries. Furthermore, the competitive environment in a smaller city like Liberal makes it essential for actuaries to distinguish themselves through expertise and successful project leadership.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Liberal earn between $129,816 and $161,423 per year (2026 est.). This $91,463 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Liberal median of $104,144 sits 22.37% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Liberal | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $104,144 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,816 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $161,423 | $221,983 |
In Liberal, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Liberal
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $104,144 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Liberal employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Liberal command premium compensation, often reaching the $129,816–$161,423 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Liberal metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Liberal with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Actuaries in Kansas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Actuary Career & Wage Growth Path in Liberal
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedLiberal ranks #20 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $161,423).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Liberal ($161,423) is 9.1% below the Kansas average P90 ($177,588).
2019 BLS Actual
$140,783
2025 BLS Actual
$156,418
2026 Current Est.
$161,423
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,783 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,536 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,397 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,208 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,589 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Liberal saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $140,783 in 2019 to $156,418 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.20% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $166,589 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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.
Maximizing Your Actuary Earnings in Liberal
Compensation strategies for senior actuaries in Liberal vary greatly by sector, with those employed by consulting firms, such as Mercer or Aon, often enjoying higher pay levels compared to their peers in traditional insurance companies like State Farm or Prudential. Specializations in fields such as life and annuity, pension and retirement, or property and casualty can command significant pay premiums. Additionally, advancement opportunities in actuarial roles are clear, with paths leading from actuarial analyst to ASA and ultimately to FSA or FCAS, influencing future salary potential significantly. Achieving these advanced credentials requires passing multiple actuarial exams, which reinforces a clear incentive structure: each achievement typically results in pay increases of $3,000 to $8,000 per exam passed. Non-salary benefits, including study time incentives, signing bonuses for credential completion, and opportunities for leadership roles within the organization, also drive the overall compensation picture for senior actuaries in Kansas.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Liberal in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Liberal?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Liberal?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Liberal?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Liberal?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $156,418 for actuaries in the Liberal metro area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Liberal 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