Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $72,539 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Oak Ridge, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,539 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oak Ridge's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,019 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,836) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective entry-level actuaries in Oak Ridge, TN, should expect a starting salary around $72,539 in 2026. This figure highlights a notable gap compared to the city's median annual salary of $120,836. As new graduates navigate their early career, it's important to recognize the growth trajectory within the profession. Over the first three to five years, new actuaries can realistically anticipate advancement from the lower tenth percentile through the 25th percentile, reaching about $89,614. Given the 3.20% annual growth rate, Oak Ridge remains a viable market for aspiring actuaries, offering reasonable entry points for recent graduates keen to start their careers.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oak Ridge
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 Oak Ridge
Entry-level actuarys in Oak Ridge, TN typically start between $72,539 and $89,614 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,757 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,836 — 9.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Tennessee of $48,000 represents just 66.17% of the starting actuary pay ($72,539/year) in Oak Ridge. 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 Oak Ridge
- 1Research the Oak Ridge market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $72,539 to $89,614, 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 Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oak Ridge'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 Oak Ridge is $114,757 ( 158.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,539, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,296.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,025
2025 BLS Actual
$70,290
2026 Current Est.
$72,539
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,025 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,072 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,593 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,198 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,436 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,523 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,539 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,861 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Oak Ridge, TN grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,025 in 2019 to $70,290 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,861. New graduates entering the Oak Ridge job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, several reputable employers actively recruit novice actuaries. Large life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife frequently engage with actuarial students through campus programs, offering structured time for exam preparation. Health insurers also require entry-level actuaries, while consulting firms such as Milliman, Mercer, Aon, and WTW are more likely to hire candidates already pursuing their ASA credentials, often providing higher starting salaries. To maximize starting pay in Tennessee, candidates typically hold a Bachelor's in fields like math or finance and work towards their actuarial credentials, which can significantly enhance their marketability. Each exam passed boosts base salary by $3,000 to $8,000, emphasizing the importance of staying on track towards the ASA designation within the first few years. Consulting firms often pay more for candidates pursuing fellowship (FSA/FCAS), making it crucial for new grads to develop relevant skills in predictive analytics and data science to navigate their first few years in this competitive field.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Ridge 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