Actuary Salary in Tupelo, MS: $113,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Tupelo, MS earns a median $113,858/year (≈ $54.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Tupelo's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $132,856 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $113,858 for 2026, actuaries in Tupelo, Mississippi earn substantially less than their peers elsewhere in the United States, where the national median stands at $134,160. The salary range for local actuaries is quite broad, spanning from $67,179 at the 10th percentile to $176,480 at the 90th percentile. These figures result from a combination of the regional cost of living, which indexes at 85.7, and the demand for actuarial services. The local job market employs a limited number of actuaries—only seven—indicating a unique environment where opportunities may be concentrated among a few employers.
About the Tupelo Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,179 | $32.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,156 | $43.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,858 | $54.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,582 | $69.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,480 | $84.85 |
Median Salary Position
15.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tupelo
In Tupelo, MS, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,301 (2026 est.). At $113,858, the local median is 15.13% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tupelo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tupelo Actuary Pay Compares
Tupelo median: $113,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tupelo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $115,009 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -15.13% less |
Actuarys in Tupelo, MS earn a median of $113,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.00% below the Mississippi state average of $115,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tupelo has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tupelo, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $113,858 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,856 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,954
2025 BLS Actual
$110,328
2026 Current Est.
$113,858
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Tupelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,954 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,229 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,875 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,841 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,625 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,328 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tupelo metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $91,954 (2019) to $110,328 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,548 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tupelo 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,179 – $90,156 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,156 – $113,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,858 – $145,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,582 – $176,480 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Tupelo
Given the cost of living in Tupelo, actuaries may find their purchasing power to be favorable compared to higher salary cities. Employers with the highest pay typically include life insurance companies and consulting firms, with organizations like Prudential and Mercer offering competitive compensation aimed at attracting qualified candidates. The variation in pay is often tied to exam progression; each passed examination typically correlates with an increase in salary between $3,000 and $8,000. Additionally, completion of advanced credentials such as the FSA or FCAS can dramatically elevate earning potential, particularly in property and casualty sectors, where demand for skilled actuaries is robust. For those looking to increase their actuarial pay in Tupelo, focusing on professional development, obtaining advanced certifications, and considering opportunities in consulting could yield significant benefits.
More salary data for Tupelo, MS:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $110,328 for actuariesin the Tupelo metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tupelo 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