Teacher Salary

Gallatin vs Nashville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Gallatin, TN
$58,583
$28.16/hr
Nashville, TN
$62,062
$29.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGallatin, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$58,583$62,062
Hourly Rate$28.16$29.84
Entry Level (P10)$43,049$48,693
25th Percentile$55,137$54,105
75th Percentile$74,618$75,109
Top Earner (P90)$90,803$80,703
Total Employed118,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gallatin ($58,583) and Nashville ($62,062) elementary school teacher salaries.GallatinNashvilleMedian Salary$58,583$62,062Entry Level (P10)$43,049$48,693Top Earner (P90)$90,803$80,703US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Gallatin and Nashville is $3,479 (5.94%). Nashville's median is -3.92% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gallatin spans $47,754,Nashville spans $32,010. Gallatin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gallatin
P10 (Entry)$43,049
P25$55,137
Median$58,583
P75$74,618
P90 (Top)$90,803
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$48,693
P25$54,105
Median$62,062
P75$75,109
P90 (Top)$80,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($64,421 effective) pays 0.95% more than Gallatin ($63,816 effective).

Gallatin
Nominal: $58,583
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $63,816
Nashville
Nominal: $62,062
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $64,421

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gallatin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($90,803)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,062/year)
  • Larger job market (8,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,421)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Gallatin grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Gallatin, TN

+12.4%

$51,628 (2024) → $58,014 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+17.3%

$52,380 (2019) → $61,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Gallatin or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,062/year, compared to Gallatin at $58,583/year — a difference of $3,479 (5.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gallatin and Nashville?

Gallatin elementary school teachers earn $28.16/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $29.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gallatin to Nashville as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gallatin and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gallatin = $63,816, Nashville = $64,421), job availability (11 vs 8,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Gallatin vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $43,049 in Gallatin and $48,693 in Nashville. The Nashville 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