Actuary Salary in Tennessee: $124,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $124,292/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $135,394 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Memphis ($128,676), Knoxville ($121,281), Chattanooga ($121,088).
In Tennessee, the average median salary for actuaries in 2026 is projected to be $124,292, which is approximately 7.4% lower than the national median of $134,160. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Memphis leading at $132,794, while Tullahoma offers the lowest salary at $113,792, resulting in a difference of $19,002. This gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for actuarial services, and the presence of insurance companies and financial firms in different regions. Tennessee has specific licensing requirements for actuaries that are regulated by the state. Additionally, the state’s scope of practice laws and the demand for skilled actuarial professionals are supported by a growing economy. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.20% for actuarial positions, the job market appears steady, ensuring continued opportunities for actuaries across the state. The top five cities with the highest projected salaries include Knoxville at $125,162, Chattanooga at $124,963, Smyrna at $124,488, and Jackson at $124,254, reflecting the diverse economic landscapes within Tennessee's metropolitan areas.
Tennessee Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $69,862 (lowest entry-level) to $454,348 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee actuaries earn 7.36% less than the national median ($-9,868/year difference).
Tennessee Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Tennessee range from $75,640 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $241,762 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $124,292. The Tennessee median is $9,868 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $59.76/hr. Approximately 591 actuarys are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$95,215
2025 BLS Actual
$120,438
2026 Current Est.
$124,292
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,383 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,438 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 26.5% from $95,215 (2019) to $120,438 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,055 (34.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $113,792 |
| Sevierville | $116,274 |
| Maryville | $116,946 |
| Cookeville | $117,023 |
| La Vergne | $117,624 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $132,794 | 91.8 | $144,656 |
| Knoxville | $125,162 | 91.8 | $136,342 |
| Chattanooga | $124,963 | 91.8 | $136,125 |
| Smyrna | $124,488 | 91.8 | $135,608 |
| Jackson | $124,254 | 91.8 | $135,353 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,640 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $124,292 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $241,762 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $132,794 |
| 2 | Knoxville | $125,162 |
| 3 | Chattanooga | $124,963 |
| 4 | Smyrna | $124,488 |
| 5 | Jackson | $124,254 |
| 6 | Johnson City | $124,048 |
| 7 | Bartlett | $123,864 |
| 8 | Collierville | $123,434 |
| 9 | Nashville | $122,901 |
| 10 | Spring Hill | $122,488 |
| 11 | Kingsport | $122,429 |
| 12 | Morristown | $121,954 |
| 13 | Clarksville | $121,798 |
| 14 | Franklin | $121,421 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $120,845 |
| 16 | Oak Ridge | $120,836 |
| 17 | Murfreesboro | $120,723 |
| 18 | Cleveland | $120,291 |
| 19 | Columbia | $120,024 |
| 20 | Germantown | $119,870 |
| 21 | Hendersonville | $119,630 |
| 22 | Gallatin | $119,421 |
| 23 | Brentwood | $118,800 |
| 24 | Shelbyville | $117,876 |
| 25 | Mount Juliet | $117,873 |
| 26 | La Vergne | $117,624 |
| 27 | Cookeville | $117,023 |
| 28 | Maryville | $116,946 |
| 29 | Sevierville | $116,274 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $113,792 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Tennessee?
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Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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, 7-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