Elementary School Teacher Salary in Tennessee: $61,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $61,303/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,779 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Knoxville ($61,980), Memphis ($61,510), Nashville ($61,460).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Tennessee is projected to be $61,303, which is about 5.1% lower than the national median of $64,597. This gap reflects varying funding levels and cost of living across states. The highest paying city in Tennessee is Knoxville, where salaries can reach $62,587, while Jackson offers the lowest at $51,974, indicating a significant salary difference of $10,613. Factors such as local government funding, school district budgets, and demand for teachers in urban areas versus rural regions contribute to this disparity. For prospective teachers, it is important to understand Tennessee's licensing requirements, which typically include a bachelor's degree, completion of a teacher preparation program, and passing the relevant exams. Additionally, the state has various scope of practice laws and a steady annual CAGR of 0.98% in employment over the past years, suggesting a stable demand for elementary educators. The overall job market strength remains positive in areas like Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville, where salaries are on the higher end of the scale. Understanding these dynamics can aid in making informed career choices within Tennessee's educational landscape.
Tennessee Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $40,362 (lowest entry-level) to $95,038 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee elementary school teachers earn 5.1% less than the national median ($-3,294/year difference).
Tennessee Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Tennessee range from $48,142 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,467 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,303. The Tennessee median is $3,294 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $29.47/hr. Approximately 23,938 elementary school teachers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,254
2025 BLS Actual
$60,708
2026 Current Est.
$61,303
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,254 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,241 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,439 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,904 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 11.9% from $54,254 (2019) to $60,708 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,904 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,650 (14.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $51,974 |
| Tullahoma | $55,822 |
| Sevierville | $57,039 |
| Maryville | $57,369 |
| Cookeville | $57,406 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | $61,931 | 87.928 | $70,434 |
| Cleveland | $59,911 | 88.08 | $68,019 |
| Kingsport | $58,700 | 86.447 | $67,903 |
| Knoxville | $62,587 | 92.569 | $67,611 |
| Memphis | $62,113 | 92.179 | $67,383 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,142 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,303 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $77,467 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $62,587 |
| 2 | Memphis | $62,113 |
| 3 | Nashville | $62,062 |
| 4 | Johnson City | $61,931 |
| 5 | Franklin | $61,315 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $61,069 |
| 7 | Murfreesboro | $60,963 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $60,762 |
| 9 | Collierville | $60,552 |
| 10 | Chattanooga | $60,416 |
| 11 | Clarksville | $60,346 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $60,087 |
| 13 | Cleveland | $59,911 |
| 14 | Morristown | $59,826 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $59,281 |
| 16 | Oak Ridge | $59,276 |
| 17 | Columbia | $58,878 |
| 18 | Germantown | $58,803 |
| 19 | Kingsport | $58,700 |
| 20 | Hendersonville | $58,686 |
| 21 | Gallatin | $58,583 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $58,278 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $57,825 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $57,823 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $57,701 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $57,406 |
| 27 | Maryville | $57,369 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $57,039 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $55,822 |
| 30 | Jackson | $51,974 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Tennessee?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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