Tennessee Median
$60,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#40 of 51
1,310 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in Tennessee?
A Special Education Teacher, Middle School working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $60,000 per year, or about $28.85 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $66,810 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $48,640 while the top 10% make $75,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,440 and $66,560 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,640 | $23.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,440 | $24.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,000 | $28.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $66,560 | $32.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,490 | $36.29 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Middle School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in other states
California $101,530Washington $99,520Rhode Island $93,970New York $93,820Connecticut $92,900Massachusetts $84,550Alaska $81,000District of Columbia $79,170New Jersey $79,110Utah $78,920Oregon $78,360Delaware $77,420Pennsylvania $77,040Maryland $76,410Michigan $76,040Illinois $74,730Ohio $74,590New Mexico $74,440Vermont $73,110Georgia $70,550New Hampshire $66,760Colorado $66,130Wisconsin $65,840Montana $63,960Virginia $63,820Minnesota $63,630Iowa $63,590Nebraska $63,460Maine $63,440Texas $63,360Nevada $63,280Alabama $62,850Wyoming $62,770South Carolina $62,310Arizona $62,130Hawaii $61,750Florida $60,440Kentucky $60,200Idaho $60,170Kansas $59,780Louisiana $59,420North Carolina $59,360Indiana $58,900North Dakota $57,680Arkansas $56,830West Virginia $56,440South Dakota $51,360Mississippi $50,750Oklahoma $50,450Missouri $50,370
Working as a Special Education Teacher, Middle School in Tennessee
Nationally, about 95,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Middle 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 ($60,000) 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 Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in Tennessee?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in Tennessee is $60,000 per year, or about $28.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,640 at the entry level to $75,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 10% less than the national median of $66,810. Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,000 a year. About 1,310 Special Education Teachers, Middle 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 Special Education Teacher, Middle 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.