Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Oak Ridge, TN: $28.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Oak Ridge, TN runs $28.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,276 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Oak Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,564 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, TN, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to be $28.50 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly wage of $31.06. This rate is significant for part-time educators or those considering per diem roles, such as working in K-12 classroom instruction, special education settings, or after-school tutoring. For teachers working part-time, such as those teaching three days a week, the financial pressure may be alleviated by flexible work options. The hourly range for teachers in this location stretches from $21.38 for entry-level positions to $44.17 for the most experienced educators, illustrating the potential for growth within the profession. It's important to remember that these hourly figures are based on estimated annual salaries, a reflection of the earnings landscape in Oak Ridge.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.38 | $171.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.50 | $203.98 |
| Median (P50) | $28.50 | $227.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.63 | $285.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.17 | $353.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Ridge
Based on $28.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.50/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Ridge, TN can expect to earn approximately $59,273 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,196. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,139.86 | $4,939 | $59,273 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.92 | $2,964 | $35,564 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.94 | $1,976 | $23,709 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Oak Ridge) | $28.50 |
| 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 Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $59,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $60,424.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.50/hr = $35,564/year (purchasing power: $38,740).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,273/year (purchasing power: $64,567).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Oak Ridge grew 7.2% from $26.32/hr (2019) to $28.22/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.78/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 Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
For those opting for part-time work, an elementary school teacher in Oak Ridge working three days a week could expect a take-home salary significantly less than a full-time teacher. With part-time teachers typically clocking in around 24 hours weekly, their earnings can vary widely depending on the district or tutoring platform accessed. Substitute teachers often earn between $100 and $200 per day, with long-term substitutes bringing in a daily rate of $140 to $250. Moreover, tutoring rates can range from $30 to $80 per hour, depending on the platform. While K-12 public school districts generally align with fixed pay scales, charter and private schools may offer different compensatory structures that cater to various financial needs. Teachers in Oak Ridge must weigh the benefits of benefits packages—such as health insurance—against the allure of higher hourly rates offered in some private or charter environments. Effective negotiation in these contexts is essential, particularly when considering contracts that specify hourly work without benefits compared to those that provide them at lower rates.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Ridge is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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