Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in Tennessee
Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Tennessee earn a median of $60,000 a year, based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,490 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $66,810. Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for special education teachers, middle school pay. There are 0.40 special education teachers, middle school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $60,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, middle school in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,640 |
| 25th percentile | $51,440 |
| Median | $60,000 |
| 75th percentile | $66,560 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,490 |
| Average (mean) | $60,950 |
Half of special education teachers, middle school 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 | $5,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,500 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,307.69 |
| Weekly | $1,153.85 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, middle school are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $62,860 | 220 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $61,300 | 510 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $60,360 | 220 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $57,270 | 130 |
| Jackson, TN | $56,450 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $50,780 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, middle school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $101,530 |
| Washington | $99,520 |
| Rhode Island | $93,970 |
| New York | $93,820 |
| Connecticut | $92,900 |
| Massachusetts | $84,550 |
| Alaska | $81,000 |
| District of Columbia | $79,170 |
| New Jersey | $79,110 |
| Utah | $78,920 |
See Special Education Teachers, Middle School 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 25-2057. 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 special education teachers, middle school make in Tennessee?
The median salary for special education teachers, middle school in Tennessee is $60,000 a year. Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, middle school make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of special education teachers, middle school in Tennessee earn at least $75,490 a year. The top 25% earn $66,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, middle school in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,640 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, middle school earn $51,440 or less.
How many special education teachers, middle school work in Tennessee?
About 1,310 special education teachers, middle school are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.