Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a sociology teachers, postsecondary in Tennessee is $77,370/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $123K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $86,177 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 22.6% 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 $77K get you in Tennessee?
About sociology teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Sociology teachers, postsecondary pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $77K locally vs. $84K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 23.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. 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 sociology teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $123K or more, a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in Tennessee
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $85K | +10% | 50 |
| Knoxville | $83K | +7% | 50 |
| Memphis | $79K | +3% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track sociology teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a sociology teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 23.2% 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 sociology teachers, postsecondaries in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new sociology teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,002/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 40% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is sociology teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $77K locally vs. $84K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for sociology teachers, postsecondaries?
Tennessee pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $84K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $86K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do sociology teachers, postsecondaries make in Tennessee?
The median is $77,370 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,030, and experienced sociology teachers, postsecondaries can clear $122,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,235/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 23.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a sociology teachers, postsecondary 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 sociology teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $86,177 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sociology teachers, postsecondaries 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.