Actuary Salary in Jackson, TN: $124,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Jackson, TN earns a median $124,254/year (≈ $59.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $135,353 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Jackson, Tennessee, the actuarial profession offers a competitive median salary of $124,254 for 2026, which is slightly lower (7.38%) than the national median of $134,160. The local salary range reflects a diverse earning potential, with entry-level positions starting around $73,864, while experienced professionals at the top percentile can earn as much as $192,594. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. The compensation landscape shows a notable pay gradient; actuaries working in consulting firms like Milliman or Mercer typically enjoy higher salaries compared to those employed by insurers, highlighting the influence of career trajectory and credentialing on earnings in Jackson's job marketplace.
About the Jackson Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,864 | $35.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,889 | $44.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,254 | $59.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,045 | $76.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,594 | $92.59 |
Median Salary Position
7.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, TN, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,730 (2026 est.). At $124,254, the local median is 7.38% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Actuary Pay Compares
Jackson median: $124,254/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $123,146 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -7.38% less |
Actuarys in Jackson, TN earn a median of $124,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.38% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.90% above the Tennessee state average of $123,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $124,254 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,353 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,350
2025 BLS Actual
$120,401
2026 Current Est.
$124,254
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,832 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,081 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,573 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,139 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,508 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,401 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $100,350 (2019) to $120,401 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,880 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $73,864 – $91,889 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,889 – $124,254 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,254 – $159,045 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,045 – $192,594 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Jackson
With 16 actuaries currently employed in Jackson, the local job market shows promise amidst a favorable economic backdrop, as evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 91.8, indicating lower living expenses compared to national averages. This index positively affects the take-home purchasing power for professionals in the area. Employers that generally offer higher compensation in this market include life insurance firms such as Prudential and MetLife, alongside health care companies like UnitedHealth and Cigna. The disparity between salaries at varying firms and within specialties often arises from several factors: credentials, specifically the transition from ASA to FSA, exam passage—which can boost salary by $3,000 to $8,000 per exam—and the demand for expertise in specific areas such as property and casualty insurance or predictive analytics. Actuaries looking to maximize their pay in Jackson should focus on advancing their certifications and acquiring in-demand skills to enhance their marketability and negotiation positions.
More salary data for Jackson, 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
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 $120,401 for actuariesin the Jackson 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 Jackson 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