Teacher Salary

Knoxville vs Sevierville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$62,587
$30.09/hr
Sevierville, TN
$57,039
$27.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNSevierville, TN
Median Salary$62,587$57,039
Hourly Rate$30.09$27.43
Entry Level (P10)$50,369$43,462
25th Percentile$50,763$51,337
75th Percentile$63,405$71,832
Top Earner (P90)$73,655$88,410
Total Employed3,3605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($62,587) and Sevierville ($57,039) elementary school teacher salaries.KnoxvilleSeviervilleMedian Salary$62,587$57,039Entry Level (P10)$50,369$43,462Top Earner (P90)$73,655$88,410US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Sevierville is $5,548 (9.73%). 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,Sevierville spans $44,948. Sevierville 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
Sevierville
P10 (Entry)$43,462
P25$51,337
Median$57,039
P75$71,832
P90 (Top)$88,410

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($67,611 effective) pays 8.82% more than Sevierville ($62,134 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $62,587
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $67,611
Sevierville
Nominal: $57,039
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $62,134

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 Sevierville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,410)
  • 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 Sevierville over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+21.5%

$51,020 (2019) → $61,980 (2025)

Sevierville, TN

+12.4%

$50,268 (2024) → $56,485 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Knoxville has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,587/year, compared to Sevierville at $57,039/year — a difference of $5,548 (9.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Sevierville?

Knoxville elementary school teachers earn $30.09/hr while Sevierville hygienists earn $27.43/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Sevierville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $67,611, Sevierville = $62,134), job availability (3,360 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,369 in Knoxville and $43,462 in Sevierville. 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