Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in Knoxville, TN
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Knoxville, TN is $60,810/year ($null/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $61K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.57), which stretches that salary to about $65,691 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,471/month — about 34.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $61K get you in Knoxville?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Knoxville’s Regional Price Parity (92.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About special education teachers, preschools
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Knoxville, TN
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $61K or more, a $13K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $130K | +109% | 4,460 |
| New Jersey | $87K | +39% | 1,830 |
| Massachusetts | $83K | +33% | 680 |
| Washington | $80K | +29% | 880 |
| Georgia | $78K | +26% | 650 |
| Alaska | $77K | +24% | 140 |
| Michigan | $74K | +18% | 300 |
| Vermont | $70K | +13% | 70 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +7% | 1,130 |
| Virginia | $65K | +4% | 580 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +3% | 210 |
| New Mexico | $64K | +3% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $64K | +3% | 80 |
| Connecticut | $64K | +2% | 340 |
| North Dakota | $63K | +1% | 90 |
| Ohio | $63K | +1% | 1,130 |
| Oregon | $62K | -1% | 40 |
| Texas | $61K | -2% | 1,630 |
| Tennessee | $61K | -2% | 200 |
| Arizona | $61K | -2% | 320 |
| Illinois | $60K | -3% | 1,030 |
| Kentucky | $60K | -4% | 70 |
| South Carolina | $58K | -7% | 230 |
| Kansas | $57K | -8% | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $57K | -8% | 420 |
| Utah | $56K | -10% | 150 |
| California | $56K | -10% | 3,440 |
| New Hampshire | $55K | -11% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $54K | -13% | 610 |
| Indiana | $54K | -13% | 180 |
| Louisiana | $53K | -15% | 810 |
| Wyoming | $50K | -19% | 110 |
| Florida | $50K | -20% | 2,190 |
| Missouri | $49K | -21% | 1,110 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -22% | 150 |
| West Virginia | $48K | -23% | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $48K | -23% | 110 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -43% | 400 |
| Iowa | $34K | -45% | 200 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track special education teachers, preschool salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Knoxville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Knoxville, TN?
The median is $60,810 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,990, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $60,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Knoxville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,242/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,471/month, which eats 34.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a special education teachers, preschool salary go in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a Regional Price Parity of 92.57 (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, preschool salary is worth about $65,691 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, preschools 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.