Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in Tennessee (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$60,690
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $64,370
State Rank
#38 of 51
13,060 employed here

How much do Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in Tennessee?

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $60,690 per year, or about $29.18 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $64,370 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $48,540 while the top 10% make $76,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,780 and $64,650 a year.

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,540$23.34
25th percentile (early career)$50,780$24.41
50th percentile (median)$60,690$29.18
75th percentile (experienced)$64,650$31.08
90th percentile (top earners)$76,830$36.94

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$102,140
2California$98,950
3New York$94,840
4Connecticut$93,610
5Rhode Island$92,760

Working as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Tennessee

Nationally, about 620,000 people work as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical 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 ($60,690) 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 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in Tennessee?
The median Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in Tennessee is $60,690 per year, or about $29.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,540 at the entry level to $76,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education about 6% less than the national median of $64,370. Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,690 a year. About 13,060 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical 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 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 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.