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 91.8 — 8% 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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
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 Morristown
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 $121,954 — 9.1% below the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,377 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,466 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,887 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,037 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,139 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,895 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown 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 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.
More salary data for Morristown, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 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).
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