Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
In Tennessee, elementary school teachers, except special educations earn $59,980 at the median. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $66,808 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 29.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Tennessee?
About elementary school teachers, except special educations
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Tennessee
Elementary school teachers, except special education pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $60K locally vs. $64K nationwide, a 6% difference. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level elementary school teachers, except special educations (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $77K or more, a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by metro in Tennessee
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | $62K | +3% | 3,360 |
| Memphis | $62K | +3% | 5,410 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $61K | +2% | 8,400 |
| Johnson City | $61K | +2% | 570 |
| Chattanooga | $60K | -0% | 2,020 |
| Clarksville | $60K | -0% | 1,560 |
| Cleveland | $59K | -1% | 410 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $58K | -3% | 1,110 |
| Jackson | $51K | -14% | 890 |
Compare to other states
Track elementary school teachers, except special education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a elementary school teachers, except special education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 29% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for elementary school teachers, except special educations in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new elementary school teachers, except special educations typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,886/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is elementary school teachers, except special education a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $60K locally vs. $64K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for elementary school teachers, except special educations?
Tennessee pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do elementary school teachers, except special educations make in Tennessee?
The median is $59,980 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,100, and experienced elementary school teachers, except special educations can clear $76,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,186/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 29% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a elementary school teachers, except special education salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median elementary school teachers, except special education salary is worth about $66,808 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do elementary school teachers, except special educations get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.