Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in Tennessee
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Tennessee earn a median of $29,500 a year ($14.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,970 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $41,670. Tennessee ranks 42nd of 50 states for substitute teachers, Short-Term pay. There are 2.3 substitute teachers, Short-Term per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $31,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,570 | $10.37 |
| 25th percentile | $25,520 | $12.27 |
| Median | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| 75th percentile | $32,960 | $15.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,970 | $17.29 |
| Average (mean) | $31,740 | $15.26 |
Half of substitute teachers, Short-Term 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 | $2,458.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,229.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,134.62 |
| Weekly | $567.31 |
| Hourly | $14.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $34,280 | 490 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $31,930 | 1,270 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $30,820 | 3,260 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $30,760 | 350 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $29,500 | 280 |
| Cleveland, TN | $26,590 | 220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $25,520 | 170 |
| Jackson, TN | $23,400 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $21,520 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for substitute teachers, Short-Term
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,920 |
| California | $60,300 |
| Hawaii | $58,530 |
| Oregon | $58,280 |
| Washington | $55,740 |
| Minnesota | $50,390 |
| District of Columbia | $49,790 |
| West Virginia | $49,020 |
| Maryland | $46,470 |
| Rhode Island | $45,590 |
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 25-3031. 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 substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Tennessee?
The median salary for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Tennessee is $29,500 a year, or $14.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of substitute teachers, Short-Term in Tennessee earn at least $35,970 a year. The top 25% earn $32,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,570 a year, and a quarter of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn $25,520 or less.
How many substitute teachers, Short-Term work in Tennessee?
About 7,690 substitute teachers, Short-Term are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.