Senior Actuary Salary in Kingsport, TN: $189,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of actuaries working in Kingsport, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $189,765/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-2011. Strip back Kingsport's price premium (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $206,716 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Senior actuaries in Kingsport, TN, have significant earning potential, with top earners (P90) projected to make $189,765 annually by 2026. This premium highlights a substantial gap between the median salary of $122,429 and the highest salaries, underpinning the potential rewards for those who excel in this field. Achieving such top-tier pay often requires extensive experience, which generally encompasses over seven years in specialized areas of actuarial practice. Professionals aiming for the peak compensation must not only achieve key actuarial credentials such as ASA or FSA but also demonstrate advanced technical and analytical skills that are highly valued in the marketplace. This combination of experience, expertise, and networking positions seasoned actuaries to command salaries that are competitive, even when compared to national figures.
About the Kingsport Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
Experienced actuarys at the top of the pay scale in Kingsport earn between $156,709 and $189,765 per year (2026 est.). This $113,319 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Kingsport median of $122,429 sits 8.74% below the US median.
Top ASA, FSA Salary Comparison
| Level | Kingsport | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $122,429 | $134,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,709 | $176,111 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $189,765 | $221,983 |
In Kingsport, experienced actuaries (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Actuary Pay in Kingsport
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN actuaries with additional specialty certifications within the actuarial science field earn significantly above the $122,429 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Kingsport employers.
Specialty Focus
Actuaries focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the actuarial science field in Kingsport command premium compensation, often reaching the $156,709–$189,765 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Kingsport metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced actuaries who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured actuaries in Kingsport with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Actuaries in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Actuary Career & Wage Growth Path in Kingsport
Clinical Actuary
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Actuary
5-10 yearsActuary Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedKingsport ranks #11 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner actuary salary (90th percentile: $189,765).
Top 10% actuary compensation in Kingsport ($189,765) is 21.51% below the Tennessee average P90 ($241,761).
2019 BLS Actual
$165,501
2025 BLS Actual
$183,881
2026 Current Est.
$189,765
2019–2027 Growth
+18.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $165,501 | Actual |
| 2020 | $167,562 | Actual |
| 2021 | $176,803 | Actual |
| 2022 | $170,374 | Actual |
| 2023 | $178,931 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $183,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $189,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $195,838 | Projected |
Top-earning actuaries (90th percentile) in Kingsport saw their compensation grow 11.1% from $165,501 in 2019 to $183,881 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.20% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $195,838 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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.
Maximizing Your Actuary Earnings in Kingsport
Specializations play a crucial role in determining salary differentiation in Kingsport's actuarial landscape. Fields such as capital modeling, predictive analytics, and enterprise risk management offer senior actuaries opportunities to command premium pay. Additionally, the type of employer influences compensation levels, with those in life insurance companies or consulting firms often earning more than their counterparts in health insurance or pension consulting. Career advancement pathways in this profession typically follow a structured progression from actuarial analyst to becoming a managing actuary or chief actuary after obtaining fellow status (FSA/FCAS). Each passed actuarial exam during the journey not only demonstrates professional development but also leads to incremental salary increases, thus enriching the overall earnings potential. For actuaries in Kingsport, enhancing skills in sought-after specialties and credentials can be pivotal in pursuing the top actuary salary available in TN, making it essential to prioritize continued education and specialization.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced actuaries make in Kingsport in 2026?
What drives higher actuary pay in Kingsport?
What certifications boost actuary salary in Kingsport?
Can experienced actuaries make six figures in Kingsport?
How much does actuary salary increase over time in Kingsport?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $183,881 for actuaries in the Kingsport metro area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kingsport 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