Teacher Salary

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $29.84 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Nashville, TN runs $29.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,062 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,240 per year.

$62,062
Median Annual Salary
$29.84/hr
Hourly Rate
$48,693
Entry Level (P10)
$80,703
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Rate in Nashville, TN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Nashville, TN elementary school teacher hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Nashville, Tennessee, the projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers in 2026 stands at $29.84, slightly below the national median of $31.06. This figure is crucial for understanding the landscape of teaching salaries in the region, particularly for part-time teachers working three days a week or those engaged in per-diem positions across various educational settings, such as K-12 classrooms, special education, tutoring programs, and summer school sessions. The hourly wage ranges from $23.41 for entry-level positions to $38.80 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting the different stages of a teaching career and the varying responsibilities inherent in different classroom environments. As per official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, these figures play a vital role in shaping expectations for both new educators and seasoned veterans considering a shift in their teaching contexts.

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$23.41$187.26
Lower Range (P25)$26.01$208.10
Median (P50)$29.84$238.72
Upper Range (P75)$36.11$288.88
Top Earners (P90)$38.80$310.37

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville

Based on $29.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a elementary school teacher in Nashville earning $29.84/hr would make approximately $35,808 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $62,066 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$35,808Reduced (32 hr/wk)$47,743Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$62,066

At $29.84/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $62,066 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,808. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$238.72
per 8hr shift
$1,193.58
per week
$5,172
per month
$62,066
per year

Schedule Comparison in Nashville

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,193.58$5,172$62,066
Part-Time (24 hrs)$716.15$3,103$37,240
Per Diem (16 hrs)$477.43$2,069$24,827

Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Elementary School Teacher (Nashville)$29.84
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing elementary school teacher median salary in Nashville ($62,062) with Tennessee average ($60,431) and the US national median ($64,597).Nashville$62,062Tennessee Avg$60,431+2.70%US National$64,597-3.92%

Elementary School Teachers in Nashville, TN earn a median of $62,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.70% above the Tennessee state average of $60,431.

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $29.84/hr = $37,240/year (purchasing power: $38,655).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,066/year (purchasing power: $64,426).

CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$25.18/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$29.55/hr

2026 Current Est.

$29.84/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+19.7%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Nashville (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for elementary school teachers in Nashville. Baseline $25.18/hr in 2025, projected to $30.13/hr by 2027.$23$25$27$29$312019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$25.18$24.39$24.10$24.86$25.28$28.57$29.55$29.84$30.13
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$25.18/hrActual
2020$24.39/hrActual
2021$24.10/hrActual
2022$24.86/hrActual
2023$25.28/hrActual
2024$28.57/hrActual
2025$29.55/hrActual
2026(current)$29.84/hrEstimated
2027$30.13/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Nashville grew 17.3% from $25.18/hr (2019) to $29.55/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.13/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Nashville

Focusing on part-time earnings, a teacher working approximately 24 hours a week for three days could potentially bring home a significantly lower income compared to their full-time counterparts, translating to an annual salary considerably less than the full-time median. For example, substitute teachers can typically earn between $100 and $200 per day, and this can vary even more when considering long-term assignments or per diem positions. Platforms offering tutoring opportunities often present a wider income range, with rates between $30 and $80 per hour, while specialized prep tutors may command even higher rates in Nashville’s competitive tutoring markets. Salary variations also exist across different types of educational institutions, such as K-12 public districts, charter schools, and private institutions, the latter often providing less stability in pay but possibly higher hourly rates. Teachers might consider whether to trade off some hourly pay for better health insurance and benefits, a prevalent consideration in the teaching profession. Negotiating your pay as an hourly worker can be more complex; understanding the landscape of Nashville's educational institutions can greatly enhance one’s discussion for higher rates or better conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Nashville in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Nashville is $29.84/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 0.98% annual growth). Rates range from $23.41 at entry level (10th percentile) to $38.80 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 3.9% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Nashville?

A part-time elementary school teacher working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Nashville earns approximately $3,103/month, or $37,240/year at the median hourly rate of $29.84. Many elementary school teachers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are elementary school teachers in Nashville paid hourly or salary?

The majority of elementary school teachers in Nashville are paid hourly at a median rate of $29.84/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $62,066/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Nashville?

A full-time elementary school teacher working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Nashville earns approximately $62,066/year at the median hourly rate of $29.84. This is 3.9% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $80,697/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Nashville?

Part-time and per diem elementary school teachers in Nashville sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $38.80/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

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

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 Nashville. 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

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