Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$58,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $62,680
State Rank
#37 of 50
2,740 employed here

How much does a Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education make in Tennessee?

A Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $58,070 per year, or about $27.92 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $62,680 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $46,980 while the top 10% make $74,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,990 and $63,070 a year.

Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,980$22.59
25th percentile (early career)$49,990$24.03
50th percentile (median)$58,070$27.92
75th percentile (experienced)$63,070$30.32
90th percentile (top earners)$74,440$35.79

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 37th out of 50 states and territories for Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$99,960
2Connecticut$90,030
3Rhode Island$85,470
4Massachusetts$84,100
5California$82,550

Working as a Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education in Tennessee

Nationally, about 109,000 people work as Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($58,070) 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 Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education make in Tennessee?
The median Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education salary in Tennessee is $58,070 per year, or about $27.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,980 at the entry level to $74,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education about 7% less than the national median of $62,680. Tennessee ranks 37th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,070 a year. About 2,740 Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 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 Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education salary report

Related salaries

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary

$80,260
median pay · 20,000 employed

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,620
median pay · 94,000 employed

Social Work Teacher, Postsecondary

$77,570
median pay · 13,000 employed

Education Teacher, Postsecondary

$75,350
median pay · 61,000 employed

Museum Technicians and Conservators

$51,440
median pay · 12,000 employed
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.