Teacher Salary

Collierville vs Memphis: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Collierville, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Collierville, TN
$60,552
$29.11/hr
Memphis, TN
$62,113
$29.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollierville, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$60,552$62,113
Hourly Rate$29.11$29.86
Entry Level (P10)$44,145$48,632
25th Percentile$53,420$53,196
75th Percentile$76,927$65,223
Top Earner (P90)$93,855$77,381
Total Employed85,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Collierville ($60,552) and Memphis ($62,113) elementary school teacher salaries.ColliervilleMemphisMedian Salary$60,552$62,113Entry Level (P10)$44,145$48,632Top Earner (P90)$93,855$77,381US Median $64,597

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Collierville.

The salary gap between Collierville and Memphis is $1,561 (2.58%). Memphis's median is -3.85% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Collierville spans $49,710,Memphis spans $28,749. Collierville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Collierville
P10 (Entry)$44,145
P25$53,420
Median$60,552
P75$76,927
P90 (Top)$93,855
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$48,632
P25$53,196
Median$62,113
P75$65,223
P90 (Top)$77,381

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($67,383 effective) pays 2.16% more than Collierville ($65,961 effective).

Collierville
Nominal: $60,552
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $65,961
Memphis
Nominal: $62,113
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $67,383

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Collierville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,855)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,113/year)
  • Larger job market (5,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,383)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Collierville grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.7% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Collierville, TN

+12.4%

$53,363 (2024) → $59,964 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+10.7%

$55,550 (2019) → $61,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Collierville or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,113/year, compared to Collierville at $60,552/year — a difference of $1,561 (2.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Collierville and Memphis?

Collierville elementary school teachers earn $29.11/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $29.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Collierville to Memphis as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Collierville and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Collierville = $65,961, Memphis = $67,383), job availability (8 vs 5,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Collierville vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $44,145 in Collierville and $48,632 in Memphis. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov