Actuary Pay

Chattanooga vs Kingsport: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Chattanooga, TN
$124,963
$60.08/hr
Kingsport, TN
$122,429
$58.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNKingsport, TN
Median Salary$124,963$122,429
Hourly Rate$60.08$58.87
Entry Level (P10)$72,478$76,446
25th Percentile$89,973$93,008
75th Percentile$159,953$156,709
Top Earner (P90)$193,692$189,765
Total Employed368
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($124,963) and Kingsport ($122,429) actuary salaries.ChattanoogaKingsportMedian Salary$124,963$122,429Entry Level (P10)$72,478$76,446Top Earner (P90)$193,692$189,765US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Kingsport is $2,534 (2.07%). 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,Kingsport spans $113,319. 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
Kingsport
P10 (Entry)$76,446
P25$93,008
Median$122,429
P75$156,709
P90 (Top)$189,765

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($136,125 effective) pays 2.07% more than Kingsport ($133,365 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $124,963
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $136,125
Kingsport
Nominal: $122,429
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $133,365

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 Kingsport 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 13.0% growth in Kingsport over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+42.6%

$84,900 (2019) → $121,088 (2025)

Kingsport, TN

+13.0%

$104,945 (2024) → $118,633 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Chattanooga or Kingsport?

Chattanooga has a higher median actuary salary at $124,963/year, compared to Kingsport at $122,429/year — a difference of $2,534 (2.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Kingsport?

Chattanooga actuarys earn $60.08/hr while Kingsport hygienists earn $58.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Kingsport as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Kingsport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $136,125, Kingsport = $133,365), job availability (36 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $72,478 in Chattanooga and $76,446 in Kingsport. The Kingsport 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