Teacher Salary

Germantown vs Knoxville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Germantown, TN
$58,803
$28.27/hr
Knoxville, TN
$62,587
$30.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$58,803$62,587
Hourly Rate$28.27$30.09
Entry Level (P10)$43,576$50,369
25th Percentile$55,614$50,763
75th Percentile$75,159$63,405
Top Earner (P90)$91,145$73,655
Total Employed83,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($58,803) and Knoxville ($62,587) elementary school teacher salaries.GermantownKnoxvilleMedian Salary$58,803$62,587Entry Level (P10)$43,576$50,369Top Earner (P90)$91,145$73,655US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Germantown and Knoxville is $3,784 (6.44%). Knoxville's median is -3.11% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $47,569,Knoxville spans $23,286. Germantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$43,576
P25$55,614
Median$58,803
P75$75,159
P90 (Top)$91,145
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$50,369
P25$50,763
Median$62,587
P75$63,405
P90 (Top)$73,655

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($67,611 effective) pays 5.55% more than Germantown ($64,056 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $58,803
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $64,056
Knoxville
Nominal: $62,587
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $67,611

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,145)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,587/year)
  • Larger job market (3,360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,611)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Germantown grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.5% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Germantown, TN

+12.4%

$51,822 (2024) → $58,232 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+21.5%

$51,020 (2019) → $61,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Germantown or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,587/year, compared to Germantown at $58,803/year — a difference of $3,784 (6.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Knoxville?

Germantown elementary school teachers earn $28.27/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $30.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Knoxville as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $64,056, Knoxville = $67,611), job availability (8 vs 3,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Germantown vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $43,576 in Germantown and $50,369 in Knoxville. The Knoxville 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