Teacher Salary

Knoxville vs La Vergne: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$62,587
$30.09/hr
La Vergne, TN
$57,701
$27.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLa Vergne, TN
Median Salary$62,587$57,701
Hourly Rate$30.09$27.74
Entry Level (P10)$50,369$45,729
25th Percentile$50,763$53,250
75th Percentile$63,405$72,469
Top Earner (P90)$73,655$89,437
Total Employed3,3608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($62,587) and La Vergne ($57,701) elementary school teacher salaries.KnoxvilleLa VergneMedian Salary$62,587$57,701Entry Level (P10)$50,369$45,729Top Earner (P90)$73,655$89,437US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and La Vergne is $4,886 (8.47%). 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 Knoxville spans $23,286,La Vergne spans $43,708. La Vergne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$50,369
P25$50,763
Median$62,587
P75$63,405
P90 (Top)$73,655
La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$45,729
P25$53,250
Median$57,701
P75$72,469
P90 (Top)$89,437

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($67,611 effective) pays 7.57% more than La Vergne ($62,855 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $62,587
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $67,611
La Vergne
Nominal: $57,701
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $62,855

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose La Vergne if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,437)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Knoxville grew 21.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.4% growth in La Vergne over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+21.5%

$51,020 (2019) → $61,980 (2025)

La Vergne, TN

+12.4%

$50,851 (2024) → $57,141 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Knoxville or La Vergne?

Knoxville has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,587/year, compared to La Vergne at $57,701/year — a difference of $4,886 (8.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and La Vergne?

Knoxville elementary school teachers earn $30.09/hr while La Vergne hygienists earn $27.74/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and La Vergne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $67,611, La Vergne = $62,855), job availability (3,360 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,369 in Knoxville and $45,729 in La Vergne. 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