Tennessee Median
$62,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#27 of 51
3,910 employed here
How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Tennessee?
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $62,560 per year, or about $30.08 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $65,120 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $49,860 while the top 10% make $79,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,010 and $68,890 a year.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,860 | $23.97 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $54,010 | $25.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,560 | $30.08 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $68,890 | $33.12 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,360 | $38.15 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other states
District of Columbia $97,910California $97,170Washington $95,040Massachusetts $91,350Rhode Island $84,300Connecticut $82,950New York $81,260Alaska $80,230Maryland $78,850Illinois $77,960Oregon $77,700New Jersey $76,660New Mexico $76,420Michigan $74,600Colorado $74,290Vermont $74,200Ohio $73,970Georgia $72,880Pennsylvania $72,680Virginia $67,740Minnesota $67,620Delaware $65,990New Hampshire $65,160Nevada $65,110Alabama $64,520Idaho $63,610Nebraska $62,420South Carolina $62,360Texas $62,330Maine $61,880Wisconsin $61,520Utah $61,290Hawaii $60,940Wyoming $60,930Iowa $60,440Kentucky $60,060Kansas $59,970Florida $58,850Louisiana $58,800Indiana $58,760North Carolina $58,260North Dakota $57,950Montana $57,630Missouri $57,260Arizona $56,030Arkansas $54,290South Dakota $51,090Oklahoma $50,630Mississippi $50,570West Virginia $50,380
Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Tennessee
Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 ($62,560) 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 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Tennessee?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Tennessee is $62,560 per year, or about $30.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,860 at the entry level to $79,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 4% less than the national median of $65,120. Tennessee ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,560 a year. About 3,910 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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.