Tennessee Median
$29,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-29% vs US median
US median $41,670
State Rank
#42 of 50
7,690 employed here
How much does a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in Tennessee?
A Substitute Teacher, Short-Term working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $29,500 per year, or about $14.18 per hour. That is 29% below the national median of $41,670 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $21,570 while the top 10% make $35,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $25,520 and $32,960 a year.
Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,570 | $10.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $25,520 | $12.27 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,500 | $14.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $32,960 | $15.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,970 | $17.29 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 42nd out of 50 states and territories for Substitute Teacher, Short-Term pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary in other states
Alaska $66,920California $60,300Hawaii $58,530Oregon $58,280Washington $55,740Minnesota $50,390District of Columbia $49,790West Virginia $49,020Maryland $46,470Rhode Island $45,590Pennsylvania $44,870Wisconsin $43,950New Jersey $43,780New York $43,490North Dakota $42,570Massachusetts $41,350Michigan $39,500Illinois $39,410Virginia $39,020Georgia $38,870Arizona $38,500Connecticut $38,460Vermont $38,200Nebraska $37,690Maine $37,440Iowa $37,230Ohio $37,150Florida $37,080Wyoming $36,990Delaware $36,510Utah $36,490New Mexico $36,400Indiana $36,360Kansas $36,190New Hampshire $34,990Missouri $34,790Idaho $34,080North Carolina $33,780Texas $32,040South Carolina $30,400Kentucky $29,730Arkansas $29,230Montana $28,050South Dakota $27,840Louisiana $27,370Alabama $25,340Nevada $24,960Oklahoma $23,770Mississippi $22,340
Working as a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term in Tennessee
Nationally, about 525,000 people work as Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($29,500) 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 Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in Tennessee?
The median Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary in Tennessee is $29,500 per year, or about $14.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,570 at the entry level to $35,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Substitute Teachers, Short-Term about 29% less than the national median of $41,670. Tennessee ranks 42nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,500 a year. About 7,690 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term 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 Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary report
Related salaries
$51,440
median pay · 12,000 employed
$46,800
median pay · 332,000 employed
$36,780
median pay · 1,420,000 employed
$43,350
median pay · 175,000 employed
$38,140
median pay · 479,000 employed
$50,890
median pay · 119,000 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.