Actuary Pay

Chattanooga vs Franklin: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Chattanooga, TN and Franklin, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chattanooga, TN
$124,963
$60.08/hr
Franklin, TN
$121,421
$58.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNFranklin, TN
Median Salary$124,963$121,421
Hourly Rate$60.08$58.38
Entry Level (P10)$72,478$76,345
25th Percentile$89,973$92,546
75th Percentile$159,953$155,419
Top Earner (P90)$193,692$188,203
Total Employed3618
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($124,963) and Franklin ($121,421) actuary salaries.ChattanoogaFranklinMedian Salary$124,963$121,421Entry Level (P10)$72,478$76,345Top Earner (P90)$193,692$188,203US Median $134,160

Verdict

Chattanooga, TN offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Franklin is $3,542 (2.92%). Chattanooga's median is -6.86% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chattanooga spans $121,214,Franklin spans $111,858. Chattanooga has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chattanooga
P10 (Entry)$72,478
P25$89,973
Median$124,963
P75$159,953
P90 (Top)$193,692
Franklin
P10 (Entry)$76,345
P25$92,546
Median$121,421
P75$155,419
P90 (Top)$188,203

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($136,125 effective) pays 2.92% more than Franklin ($132,267 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $124,963
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $136,125
Franklin
Nominal: $121,421
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $132,267

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chattanooga if…

  • Higher median salary ($124,963/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($193,692)
  • Larger job market (36 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,125)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Franklin if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Chattanooga grew 42.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Franklin over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+42.6%

$84,900 (2019) → $121,088 (2025)

Franklin, TN

+13.9%

$103,256 (2024) → $117,656 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Chattanooga or Franklin?

Chattanooga has a higher median actuary salary at $124,963/year, compared to Franklin at $121,421/year — a difference of $3,542 (2.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Franklin?

Chattanooga actuarys earn $60.08/hr while Franklin hygienists earn $58.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Franklin as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Franklin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $136,125, Franklin = $132,267), job availability (36 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Chattanooga vs Franklin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $72,478 in Chattanooga and $76,345 in Franklin. The Franklin area offers higher starting salaries.
MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov