Actuary Pay

Chattanooga vs Tullahoma: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Chattanooga, TN
$124,963
$60.08/hr
Tullahoma, TN
$113,792
$54.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNTullahoma, TN
Median Salary$124,963$113,792
Hourly Rate$60.08$54.71
Entry Level (P10)$72,478$75,140
25th Percentile$89,973$86,177
75th Percentile$159,953$144,818
Top Earner (P90)$193,692$176,190
Total Employed364
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($124,963) and Tullahoma ($113,792) actuary salaries.ChattanoogaTullahomaMedian Salary$124,963$113,792Entry Level (P10)$72,478$75,140Top Earner (P90)$193,692$176,190US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Tullahoma is $11,171 (9.82%). 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,Tullahoma spans $101,050. 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
Tullahoma
P10 (Entry)$75,140
P25$86,177
Median$113,792
P75$144,818
P90 (Top)$176,190

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($136,125 effective) pays 9.82% more than Tullahoma ($123,956 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $124,963
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $136,125
Tullahoma
Nominal: $113,792
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $123,956

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 Tullahoma 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 Tullahoma over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+42.6%

$84,900 (2019) → $121,088 (2025)

Tullahoma, TN

+13.0%

$97,541 (2024) → $110,264 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Chattanooga or Tullahoma?

Chattanooga has a higher median actuary salary at $124,963/year, compared to Tullahoma at $113,792/year — a difference of $11,171 (9.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Tullahoma?

Chattanooga actuarys earn $60.08/hr while Tullahoma hygienists earn $54.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Tullahoma as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Tullahoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $136,125, Tullahoma = $123,956), job availability (36 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $72,478 in Chattanooga and $75,140 in Tullahoma. The Tullahoma 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