Teacher Salary

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

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

La Vergne, TN
$57,701
$27.74/hr
Memphis, TN
$62,113
$29.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Vergne, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$57,701$62,113
Hourly Rate$27.74$29.86
Entry Level (P10)$45,729$48,632
25th Percentile$53,250$53,196
75th Percentile$72,469$65,223
Top Earner (P90)$89,437$77,381
Total Employed85,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Vergne ($57,701) and Memphis ($62,113) elementary school teacher salaries.La VergneMemphisMedian Salary$57,701$62,113Entry Level (P10)$45,729$48,632Top Earner (P90)$89,437$77,381US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between La Vergne and Memphis is $4,412 (7.65%). Memphis's median is -3.85% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Vergne spans $43,708,Memphis spans $28,749. La Vergne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$45,729
P25$53,250
Median$57,701
P75$72,469
P90 (Top)$89,437
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$48,632
P25$53,196
Median$62,113
P75$65,223
P90 (Top)$77,381

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($67,383 effective) pays 7.20% more than La Vergne ($62,855 effective).

La Vergne
Nominal: $57,701
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $62,855
Memphis
Nominal: $62,113
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $67,383

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Vergne if…

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

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,113/year)
  • Larger job market (5,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,383)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in La Vergne grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.7% growth in Memphis over the same period.

La Vergne, TN

+12.4%

$50,851 (2024) → $57,141 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+10.7%

$55,550 (2019) → $61,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Memphis has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,113/year, compared to La Vergne at $57,701/year — a difference of $4,412 (7.65%).

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

La Vergne elementary school teachers earn $27.74/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $29.86/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Vergne and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Vergne = $62,855, Memphis = $67,383), job availability (8 vs 5,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $45,729 in La Vergne and $48,632 in Memphis. The Memphis 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