Actuary Salary in Kentucky: $111,950 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $111,950/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $125,364 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($113,603), Lexington ($109,397), Owensboro ($105,052).
In Kentucky, the projected average median salary for actuaries in 2026 is $111,949, which is 16.6% below the national median of $134,160. Louisville offers the highest salary at $117,238, while Murray has the lowest at $100,577, resulting in a salary gap of $16,661. This difference can be attributed to various factors including the concentration of industries requiring actuarial services, with larger cities typically having more demand from finance, insurance, and healthcare sectors. Kentucky requires actuaries to hold state-specific licenses and adheres to certain scope of practice laws, which can influence starting salaries and growth opportunities in the field. The state's actuary market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.20%, suggesting steady demand for professionals. With a total of 328 actuaries employed across the state, cities like Lexington at $112,898 and Owensboro at $108,414 also reflect healthy salary averages, supporting a positive job market outlook for the profession. Understanding these local factors will be critical for aspiring actuaries looking to navigate their careers effectively in Kentucky.
Kentucky Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $61,818 (lowest entry-level) to $181,720 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky actuaries earn 16.55% less than the national median ($-22,210/year difference).
Kentucky Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Kentucky range from $67,042 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $173,451 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $111,950. The Kentucky median is $22,210 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $53.82/hr. Approximately 328 actuarys are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$106,850
2025 BLS Actual
$108,478
2026 Current Est.
$111,950
2019–2027 Growth
+8.1%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,368 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,950 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,532 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 1.5% from $106,850 (2019) to $108,478 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,682 (8.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $100,577 |
| Jeffersontown | $102,084 |
| Paducah | $102,209 |
| Ashland | $102,299 |
| Madisonville | $102,445 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $117,238 | 89.3 | $131,286 |
| Lexington | $112,898 | 89.3 | $126,426 |
| Owensboro | $108,414 | 89.3 | $121,404 |
| Independence | $106,682 | 89.3 | $119,465 |
| Bowling Green | $106,583 | 89.3 | $119,354 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $67,042 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $111,950 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $173,451 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $117,238 |
| 2 | Lexington | $112,898 |
| 3 | Owensboro | $108,414 |
| 4 | Independence | $106,682 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $106,583 |
| 6 | Florence | $106,557 |
| 7 | Covington | $106,107 |
| 8 | Nicholasville | $105,906 |
| 9 | Richmond | $105,881 |
| 10 | Frankfort | $105,339 |
| 11 | Henderson | $105,164 |
| 12 | Elizabethtown | $105,089 |
| 13 | Hopkinsville | $104,788 |
| 14 | Radcliff | $103,189 |
| 15 | Georgetown | $102,827 |
| 16 | Madisonville | $102,445 |
| 17 | Ashland | $102,299 |
| 18 | Paducah | $102,209 |
| 19 | Jeffersontown | $102,084 |
| 20 | Murray | $100,577 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Kentucky?
How many actuaries are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for actuaries?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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