Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in Tennessee
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Tennessee earn a median of $29,210 a year, based on BLS data for 23,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,310 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $36,780. Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states for teaching assistants, except postsecondary pay. There are 7.1 teaching assistants, except postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $30,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,010 |
| 25th percentile | $23,710 |
| Median | $29,210 |
| 75th percentile | $36,870 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,310 |
| Average (mean) | $30,660 |
Half of teaching assistants, except postsecondary 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 | $2,434.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,217.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,123.46 |
| Weekly | $561.73 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because teaching assistants, except postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $32,620 | 6,060 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $29,840 | 1,210 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $29,330 | 4,280 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $29,260 | 1,410 |
| Jackson, TN | $29,190 | 850 |
| Johnson City, TN | $28,370 | 750 |
| Knoxville, TN | $26,960 | 3,070 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,520 | 1,070 |
| Morristown, TN | $26,200 | 450 |
| Cleveland, TN | $23,940 | 390 |
Highest-paying states for teaching assistants, except postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,120 |
| District of Columbia | $46,920 |
| Maine | $46,750 |
| California | $46,490 |
| Vermont | $43,800 |
| Minnesota | $40,100 |
| Oregon | $39,850 |
| Massachusetts | $39,380 |
| Virginia | $38,520 |
| New Hampshire | $38,440 |
See Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay in every state.
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinator | $74,390 | $35.77 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $36,950 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,980 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $61,860 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,690 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,870 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $62,560 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| Tutor | $50,280 | $24.17 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $61,700 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $58,070 | — |
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 25-9045. 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Tennessee?
The median salary for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Tennessee is $29,210 a year. Pay ranges from $22,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Tennessee earn at least $40,310 a year. The top 25% earn $36,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,010 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn $23,710 or less.
How many teaching assistants, except postsecondary work in Tennessee?
About 23,280 teaching assistants, except postsecondary are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.