Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Tennessee
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Tennessee earn a median of $59,980 a year, based on BLS data for 28,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,840 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $63,970. Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states for elementary school teachers, except special education pay. There are 8.6 elementary school teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,850, close to the median.
Pay range for elementary school teachers, except special education in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,100 |
| 25th percentile | $50,360 |
| Median | $59,980 |
| 75th percentile | $64,590 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,840 |
| Average (mean) | $59,850 |
Half of elementary school teachers, except special education earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,499.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,306.92 |
| Weekly | $1,153.46 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because elementary school teachers, except special education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $61,980 | 3,360 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,510 | 5,410 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $61,460 | 8,400 |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,330 | 570 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,830 | 2,020 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,760 | 1,560 |
| Cleveland, TN | $59,330 | 410 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $58,130 | 1,110 |
| Jackson, TN | $51,470 | 890 |
Highest-paying states for elementary school teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 |
| California | $99,650 |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 |
| New York | $85,760 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 |
| Alaska | $79,260 |
| New Jersey | $78,200 |
| Maryland | $77,680 |
See Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state.
Related jobs in Tennessee
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a elementary school teachers, except special education make in Tennessee?
The median salary for elementary school teachers, except special education in Tennessee is $59,980 a year. Pay ranges from $48,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid elementary school teachers, except special education make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of elementary school teachers, except special education in Tennessee earn at least $76,840 a year. The top 25% earn $64,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for elementary school teachers, except special education in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,100 a year, and a quarter of elementary school teachers, except special education earn $50,360 or less.
How many elementary school teachers, except special education work in Tennessee?
About 28,240 elementary school teachers, except special education are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.