Tennessee Median
$64,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $78,760
State Rank
#37 of 49
1,150 employed here
How much do English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in Tennessee?
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in Tennessee take home a median of $64,220 annually — roughly $30.88 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $78,760.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $48,580 while the top 10% make $99,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,070 and $78,850 a year.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,580 | $23.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,070 | $28.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,220 | $30.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,170 | $47.68 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 37th out of 49 states and territories for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other states
California $130,490New Hampshire $98,650Connecticut $97,310Delaware $97,100Oregon $91,870Michigan $90,240Vermont $86,870Nevada $85,830New York $84,850Maine $84,290Minnesota $84,200Massachusetts $83,980Maryland $83,760Alaska $82,770District of Columbia $82,300Wisconsin $80,800Pennsylvania $80,670Washington $79,840Iowa $79,720Rhode Island $79,190Texas $78,900New Jersey $78,760Nebraska $78,450Illinois $77,570Arizona $76,990Utah $73,280Montana $73,160Missouri $73,070Colorado $72,910Indiana $69,180Virginia $67,330New Mexico $66,450Georgia $65,530Ohio $65,140Kentucky $65,090South Carolina $64,470North Dakota $63,690North Carolina $63,370West Virginia $63,280South Dakota $62,960Alabama $62,910Kansas $62,340Wyoming $62,030Mississippi $60,680Louisiana $60,350Florida $59,740Arkansas $56,520Oklahoma $53,200
Working as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in Tennessee
Nationally, about 58,000 people work as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($64,220) 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 do English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in Tennessee?
The median English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Tennessee is $64,220 per year, or about $30.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,580 at the entry level to $99,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary about 18% less than the national median of $78,760. Tennessee ranks 37th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,220 a year. About 1,150 English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 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 English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 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.