Teacher Salary

Knoxville vs Mount Juliet: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$62,587
$30.09/hr
Mount Juliet, TN
$57,823
$27.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMount Juliet, TN
Median Salary$62,587$57,823
Hourly Rate$30.09$27.80
Entry Level (P10)$50,369$45,963
25th Percentile$50,763$53,520
75th Percentile$63,405$74,013
Top Earner (P90)$73,655$89,626
Total Employed3,3609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($62,587) and Mount Juliet ($57,823) elementary school teacher salaries.KnoxvilleMount JulietMedian Salary$62,587$57,823Entry Level (P10)$50,369$45,963Top Earner (P90)$73,655$89,626US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Mount Juliet is $4,764 (8.24%). 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,Mount Juliet spans $43,663. Mount Juliet 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
Mount Juliet
P10 (Entry)$45,963
P25$53,520
Median$57,823
P75$74,013
P90 (Top)$89,626

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($67,611 effective) pays 7.34% more than Mount Juliet ($62,988 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $62,587
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $67,611
Mount Juliet
Nominal: $57,823
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $62,988

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 Mount Juliet if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,626)
  • 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 Mount Juliet over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+21.5%

$51,020 (2019) → $61,980 (2025)

Mount Juliet, TN

+12.4%

$50,959 (2024) → $57,262 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Knoxville or Mount Juliet?

Knoxville has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,587/year, compared to Mount Juliet at $57,823/year — a difference of $4,764 (8.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Mount Juliet?

Knoxville elementary school teachers earn $30.09/hr while Mount Juliet hygienists earn $27.80/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Mount Juliet. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $67,611, Mount Juliet = $62,988), job availability (3,360 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,369 in Knoxville and $45,963 in Mount Juliet. 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