Actuary Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $60.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Knoxville, TN runs $60.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,162 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,100 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, actuaries earn a median hourly rate of $60.18, which is a bit lower than the national average of $64.50. This compensation reflects the regional cost of living and the competition in the job market. Actuaries in Knoxville often find themselves in diverse settings such as insurance pricing departments, consulting firms, reinsurance teams, and even remote roles where they model risk for various clients. Those entering the profession can expect hourly rates starting around $34.90, while seasoned professionals can command up to $93.27 per hour. This wide range facilitates flexibility for part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, allowing them to balance work with continuing education or personal commitments.
About the Knoxville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.90 | $279.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.32 | $346.59 |
| Median (P50) | $60.18 | $481.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.02 | $616.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.27 | $746.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $60.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.18/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $125,166 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,211. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,407.04 | $10,430 | $125,166 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,444.22 | $6,258 | $75,100 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $962.81 | $4,172 | $50,066 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Knoxville) | $60.18 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $125,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.60% above the Tennessee state average of $123,191.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.18/hr = $75,100/year (purchasing power: $81,808).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,166/year (purchasing power: $136,346).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Knoxville grew 20.0% from $48.60/hr (2019) to $58.31/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.10/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Knoxville
Part-time actuaries working a 24-hour week in Knoxville could take home approximately $74,694 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts but still substantial for a flexible schedule. The per diem actuarial market is not common for junior roles; however, established professionals with FSA or FCAS designations can secure lucrative consulting engagements, billing between $250 and $500 per hour. Some specialties, like expert witness testimony in litigation involving insurance or pensions, can yield even higher rates between $400 and $800 per hour. Hourly pay in Knoxville varies by employer type, with life insurance companies, health insurers, and consulting firms generally offering distinct pay scales. Many actuaries may accept lower hourly pay for the benefits of health insurance and retirement plans, emphasizing the importance of evaluating total compensation packages. When negotiating, it can be advantageous to highlight specific expertise or experience, particularly in areas like predictive analytics, which are increasingly valued in this profession.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Knoxville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Knoxville 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