Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $29.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Johnson City, TN runs $29.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,164 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Johnson City, Tennessee, the 2026 projected hourly pay for elementary school teachers is $29.78. This figure sits below the national hourly median of $31.06, reflecting local hiring practices and the economic environment in TN. For part-time educators working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to around 24 hours of work, leading to earnings that may differ significantly from full-time teachers. Per-diem opportunities also exist for educators in various settings, including K-12 classrooms, special education, and tutoring programs. The hourly range in Johnson City spans from $23.68 at entry-level positions to $37.30 for top earners, based on official BLS hourly data. This information highlights the financial framework in which elementary school teachers in this region operate.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.68 | $189.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.69 | $197.52 |
| Median (P50) | $29.78 | $238.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.15 | $257.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.30 | $298.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $29.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.78/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $61,940 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,735. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,191.16 | $5,162 | $61,940 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $714.70 | $3,097 | $37,164 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.46 | $2,065 | $24,776 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Johnson City) | $29.78 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $61,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.13% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.50% above the Tennessee state average of $60,421.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.78/hr = $37,164/year (purchasing power: $42,267).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,940/year (purchasing power: $70,444).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Johnson City grew 29.1% from $22.84/hr (2019) to $29.49/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Johnson City
Elementary school teachers working part-time can expect to take home significantly less compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, a 3-day/week schedule would yield an annual earnings approximation substantially reduced from that of full-time employment. Additionally, per diem placements and tutoring roles can vary widely; substitute teachers in public districts may earn between $100 and $200 per day, while long-term substitutes typically earn $140 to $250 daily. Moreover, private tutoring rates can range from $30 to $80 per hour, with specialized SAT and ACT prep instructors commanding between $80 and $200 hourly, particularly in high-cost living areas. Compensation levels can also fluctuate among different educational settings in Johnson City, including public, charter, and private schools, each having its own pay structure. While many educators may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, negotiating based on specific employer offerings can help maximize compensation while balancing needs. Understanding these dynamics can greatly aid educators in navigating their earning potential within the local teaching environment.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Johnson City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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