Actuary Salary in Shelbyville, TN: $117,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Shelbyville, TN earns a median $117,876/year (≈ $56.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Shelbyville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $128,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, actuaries in Shelbyville, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $117,876, which falls notably below the national median of $134,160. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $74,883 at the 10th percentile to $182,708 at the 90th percentile, offering a significant disparity in potential earnings based on experience and credentials. These figures are informed by projected data derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for local economic conditions. With just four actuaries currently employed in Shelbyville, the demand for skilled professionals may drive competitive compensation, particularly as they navigate their exam progression.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,883 | $36.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,783 | $43.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,876 | $56.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,499 | $72.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,708 | $87.84 |
Median Salary Position
12.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelbyville
In Shelbyville, TN, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,825 (2026 est.). At $117,876, the local median is 12.14% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelbyville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shelbyville Actuary Pay Compares
Shelbyville median: $117,876/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelbyville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $123,172 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -12.14% less |
Actuarys in Shelbyville, TN earn a median of $117,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.14% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $123,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelbyville 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.
Shelbyville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $117,876 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,199
2025 BLS Actual
$114,221
2026 Current Est.
$117,876
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,199 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,554 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,154 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,042 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,221 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelbyville metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $95,199 (2019) to $114,221 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,449 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelbyville 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) | $74,883 – $89,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,783 – $117,876 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,876 – $150,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,499 – $182,708 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Shelbyville
An understanding of the local job market is essential for maximizing actuary pay in Shelbyville, TN. The region's cost of living index stands at 91.8, which suggests a lower-than-average cost structure compared to the national baseline and ultimately enhances purchasing power. Among the key employers in the area, major players in life and health insurance such as Prudential and UnitedHealth often provide higher salaries for credentialed actuaries. Compensation disparities arise primarily from exam progression, where each passed exam can yield $3,000 to $8,000 increases in base pay, coupled with variations in market demand across specialties. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, obtaining FSAs or FCAS credentials, particularly in property and casualty lines or consulting firms, can yield significant financial rewards. Prioritizing VEE credits and focusing on in-demand analytical skills will further boost career advancement in this market.
More salary data for Shelbyville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can actuaries make $100K in Shelbyville?
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Related Pages
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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 $114,221 for actuariesin the Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville 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