Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$61,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $66,270
State Rank
#34 of 49
2,940 employed here

How much does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School make in Tennessee?

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in Tennessee take home a median of $61,700 annually — roughly $29.66 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $66,270.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $49,480 while the top 10% make $77,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,120 and $65,500 a year.

Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,480$23.79
25th percentile (early career)$52,120$25.06
50th percentile (median)$61,700$29.66
75th percentile (experienced)$65,500$31.49
90th percentile (top earners)$77,450$37.24

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 34th out of 49 states and territories for Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$101,180
2Connecticut$100,810
3Massachusetts$98,020
4New Jersey$83,770
5Rhode Island$81,820

Working as a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School in Tennessee

Nationally, about 111,000 people work as Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($61,700) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School make in Tennessee?
The median Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in Tennessee is $61,700 per year, or about $29.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,480 at the entry level to $77,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School about 7% less than the national median of $66,270. Tennessee ranks 34th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $61,700 a year. About 2,940 Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.