Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Tennessee is $62,560/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $69,681 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 28% 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 $63K get you in Tennessee?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $63K locally vs. $65K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.9% 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Tennessee
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $65K | +4% | 1,030 |
| Memphis | $65K | +3% | 1,330 |
| Chattanooga | $63K | +1% | 580 |
| Johnson City | $63K | +0% | 80 |
| Knoxville | $60K | -3% | 400 |
| Cleveland | $59K | -5% | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $55K | -11% | 180 |
| Jackson | $52K | -16% | 110 |
| Clarksville | $48K | -23% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $63K, rent takes 27.9% 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,992/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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $63K locally vs. $65K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Tennessee pays $63K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $70K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Tennessee?
The median is $62,560 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,860, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $79,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,359/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 27.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary is worth about $69,681 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools 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.