Actuary Pay

Nashville vs Shelbyville: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Nashville, TN
$122,901
$59.09/hr
Shelbyville, TN
$117,876
$56.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashville, TNShelbyville, TN
Median Salary$122,901$117,876
Hourly Rate$59.09$56.67
Entry Level (P10)$80,898$74,883
25th Percentile$80,909$89,783
75th Percentile$167,566$150,499
Top Earner (P90)$454,348$182,708
Total Employed1104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashville ($122,901) and Shelbyville ($117,876) actuary salaries.NashvilleShelbyvilleMedian Salary$122,901$117,876Entry Level (P10)$80,898$74,883Top Earner (P90)$454,348$182,708US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Nashville and Shelbyville is $5,025 (4.26%). Nashville's median is -8.39% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nashville spans $373,450,Shelbyville spans $107,825. Nashville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Nashville
P10 (Entry)$80,898
P25$80,909
Median$122,901
P75$167,566
P90 (Top)$454,348
Shelbyville
P10 (Entry)$74,883
P25$89,783
Median$117,876
P75$150,499
P90 (Top)$182,708

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shelbyville ($128,405 effective) pays 0.65% more than Nashville ($127,573 effective).

Nashville
Nominal: $122,901
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $127,573
Shelbyville
Nominal: $117,876
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $128,405

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($122,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($454,348)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Shelbyville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,405)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Nashville grew 12.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Shelbyville over the same period.

Nashville, TN

+12.8%

$105,530 (2019) → $119,090 (2025)

Shelbyville, TN

+13.0%

$101,042 (2024) → $114,221 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Nashville or Shelbyville?

Nashville has a higher median actuary salary at $122,901/year, compared to Shelbyville at $117,876/year — a difference of $5,025 (4.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashville and Shelbyville?

Nashville actuarys earn $59.09/hr while Shelbyville hygienists earn $56.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nashville to Shelbyville as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashville and Shelbyville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashville = $127,573, Shelbyville = $128,405), job availability (110 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Nashville vs Shelbyville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $80,898 in Nashville and $74,883 in Shelbyville. The Nashville 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