Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lebanon, TN: $73,071 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lebanon, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,071 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lebanon's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,598 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,845) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lebanon, Tennessee, the trajectory for a new graduate entering the actuarial profession shows promising potential despite some regional salary disparities. The starting actuary salary in Lebanon is projected at $73,071, which is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $120,845. However, entry-level actuaries can anticipate a healthy growth pathway over the first few years. With a notable annual growth rate of 3.20%, new grads can look forward to incremental rises in their earnings, with projections reaching $89,632 just by moving to the 25th percentile within three to five years. Given these figures, Lebanon remains a reasonably attractive market for aspiring actuaries, especially considering the local cost of living index of 91.8, which is below the national average.
About the Lebanon Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lebanon
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lebanon
Entry-level actuarys in Lebanon, TN typically start between $73,071 and $89,632 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,239 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,845 — 9.92% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Tennessee of $48,000 represents just 65.69% of the starting actuary pay ($73,071/year) in Lebanon. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Lebanon
- 1Research the Lebanon market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $73,071 to $89,632, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lebanon, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Lebanon for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lebanon's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Lebanon is $114,239 ( 156.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,071, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,310.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,450
2025 BLS Actual
$70,805
2026 Current Est.
$73,071
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lebanon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,008 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,409 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lebanon, TN grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,450 in 2019 to $70,805 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,409. New graduates entering the Lebanon job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lebanon 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.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Lebanon
When it comes to landing that coveted first job in Lebanon, new graduates should focus on targeted employers that actively seek out entry-level actuaries. Major life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, along with health insurers, often recruit actuarial graduates through college partnerships and structured exam preparation programs. Consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW value candidates with ASA credentials and offer more competitive salaries. Building a solid educational foundation in math, statistics, and finance, alongside passing crucial actuarial exams from organizations like SOA and CAS, is essential to increase starting pay. Progressing through exams can yield additional salary increments of $3,000 to $8,000 for each exam passed, emphasizing the importance of certification. With a focus on credentials and possibly gaining expertise in predictive analytics, new actuaries can align themselves for success in Lebanon's actuarial job market, optimizing their salary growth in those critical early years.
More salary data for Lebanon, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for actuaries in Lebanon in 2026?
How fast do actuary salaries grow in Lebanon?
Is actuarial science school worth it in Lebanon?
What do new actuaries make right out of school in Lebanon?
How do I become a actuary in Tennessee?
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Lebanon. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lebanon 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