Tennessee Median
$34,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $38,140
State Rank
#42 of 51
5,420 employed here
How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in Tennessee?
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Tennessee take home a median of $34,280 annually — roughly $16.48 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $38,140.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $27,160 while the top 10% make $64,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,290 and $53,450 a year.
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,160 | $13.06 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,290 | $14.08 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,280 | $16.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $53,450 | $25.70 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,480 | $31.00 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in other states
District of Columbia $62,150Vermont $49,730Hawaii $48,780New Jersey $48,220Kansas $47,750California $47,400Nebraska $47,040New York $46,520Alaska $46,130Massachusetts $45,890Connecticut $45,740Washington $45,660Colorado $45,500Oregon $45,140Maryland $44,600South Dakota $44,500New Mexico $44,070Georgia $43,920Maine $43,890Minnesota $43,430Illinois $40,910North Dakota $39,720New Hampshire $39,350Nevada $38,870Louisiana $38,020Virginia $37,140Michigan $37,110Rhode Island $36,830Indiana $36,650Montana $36,540Delaware $36,360Arizona $36,300Mississippi $36,250Wisconsin $36,160Missouri $36,090Pennsylvania $36,050Florida $35,860North Carolina $35,710Ohio $35,180Utah $35,010South Carolina $34,500Arkansas $34,190Texas $33,860Iowa $33,830Idaho $32,800West Virginia $32,480Oklahoma $31,790Wyoming $29,930Kentucky $29,780Alabama $28,310
Working as a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education in Tennessee
Nationally, about 479,000 people work as Preschool 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 ($34,280) 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 Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in Tennessee?
The median Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in Tennessee is $34,280 per year, or about $16.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,160 at the entry level to $64,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education about 10% less than the national median of $38,140. Tennessee ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,280 a year. About 5,420 Preschool 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 Preschool Teacher, Except Special 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.