Actuary Pay

Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Morristown, TN: $75,479 (2026)

Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Morristown, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,479 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Morristown's local price level (BEA RPP 91.88% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,221 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($121,954) within a few years of clinical practice.

$75,479
Starting Salary
$36.29/hr
Starting Hourly
$75,479
Entry Level
$121,954
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Actuary Entry Level Salary in Morristown, TN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Morristown, TN actuary entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For graduates entering the actuarial field in Morristown, Tennessee, the projected starting salary in 2026 is $75,479. While this figure is a good entry point into the profession, it falls significantly short of the city's median annual salary for actuaries, which reaches $121,954. New grads can expect to see a growth trajectory over their career as they gain experience and tackle the exam process, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile salary, which is estimated at $91,857. With an expected annual growth rate of 3.20%, those beginning their careers in Morristown can follow a promising path, especially considering the local job market is becoming increasingly favorable for new entrants.

About the Morristown Market

Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Morristown

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$75,479/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$91,857/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$121,954/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$156,014/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morristown

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for actuarys in Morristown. The median salary is $121,954, compared to the national median of $134,160.$67.9K$100.6K$133.2K$165.8K$198.5K$75.5K10th Pctl$91.9K25th Pctl$122.0KMedian$156.0K75th Pctl$189.0K90th PctlUS Median$134.2K

Entry-level actuarys in Morristown, TN typically start between $75,479 and $91,857 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $113,549 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $121,9549.1% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of actuary pay in the Morristown metro area.

Return on Investment

$48,000
Avg TN Program Cost
$75,479
Starting Salary
63.59%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average actuarial science program cost in Tennessee of $48,000 represents just 63.59% of the starting actuary pay ($75,479/year) in Morristown. 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 Morristown

  • 1Research the Morristown market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $75,479 to $91,857, 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 Morristown, 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 Morristown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Morristown'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 Morristown is $113,549 ( 150.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,479, experienced hygienists can earn up to $189,028.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$60,377

2025 BLS Actual

$73,139

2026 Current Est.

$75,479

2019–2027 Growth

+29.0%

Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Morristown (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for actuaries in Morristown. Baseline $60,377 in 2025, projected to $77,895 by 2027.$55.1K$61.7K$68.4K$75.0K$81.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$60.4K$61.5K$58.9K$66.8K$70.2K$64.0K$73.1K$75.5K$77.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$60,377Actual
2020$61,466Actual
2021$58,887Actual
2022$66,800Actual
2023$70,170Actual
2024$64,037Actual
2025$73,139Actual
2026(current)$75,479Estimated
2027$77,895Projected

Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Morristown, TN grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,377 in 2019 to $73,139 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,895. New graduates entering the Morristown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Morristown

In Morristown, major employers that frequently hire entry-level actuaries include large life insurance companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which often recruit directly from universities and offer structured exam preparation time for new hires. Health insurance providers also seek fresh talent, while consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW are known to provide higher salaries for entry-level actuaries with ASA credentials. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, as well as individuals who have passed certain actuarial exams and attained VEE credits, are positioned to earn more. The journey to becoming an ASA typically requires 4-5 years and passing 5-7 exams, while achieving fellowship status as an FSA can take an additional 7-10 years with more extensive exam requirements. As most compensation growth in the early years is tied to exam progression—where each passed exam can increase base pay by $3,000 to $8,000—new actuaries should focus on developing both actuarial and data science skills to enhance their marketability and future earnings potential in Tennessee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for actuaries in Morristown in 2026?

Entry-level actuaries in Morristown start at approximately $75,479/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.20% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $36.29/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do actuary salaries grow in Morristown?

Most actuaries in Morristown progress from the entry-level salary of $75,479 to the area median of $121,954 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $189,028 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is actuarial science school worth it in Morristown?

With a starting salary of $75,479/year in Morristown and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new actuaries recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new actuaries make right out of school in Morristown?

New actuarial science graduates in Morristown typically start near the 10th percentile at $75,479/year, or approximately $36.29/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a actuary in Tennessee?

To become a licensed actuary in Tennessee, you typically need bachelor's degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or related field. professional credentialing through society of actuaries (soa) or casualty actuarial society (cas) — typically 7-10 exams to reach fellow level. most actuaries work toward credentials while employed., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Tennessee, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some actuaries pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

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

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 Morristown. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Morristown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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