Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary
The median pay for a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Tennessee is $61,860/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $68,902 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 28.3% 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 $62K get you in Tennessee?
About secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Pay for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Tennessee runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.2% 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. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary by metro in Tennessee
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $65K | +5% | 1,790 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $65K | +5% | 6,080 |
| Cleveland | $63K | +2% | 280 |
| Knoxville | $63K | +2% | 2,820 |
| Memphis | $62K | +1% | 4,860 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $62K | +0% | 790 |
| Morristown | $61K | -1% | 330 |
| Clarksville | $61K | -2% | 930 |
| Johnson City | $60K | -3% | 640 |
| Jackson | $60K | -3% | 580 |
Compare to other states
Track secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $62K, rent takes 28.2% 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,943/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $62K here vs. $72K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations?
Tennessee pays $62K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations make in Tennessee?
The median is $61,860 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,050, and experienced secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations can clear $79,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,312/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 28.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary is worth about $68,902 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical 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.