Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $34,600 a year ($16.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,610 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $38,140. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $34,280. There are 1.8 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $40,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,470 | $11.76 |
| 25th percentile | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Median | $34,600 | $16.64 |
| 75th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| Average (mean) | $40,100 | $19.28 |
Half of preschool teachers, except special education earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,883.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,441.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,330.77 |
| Weekly | $665.38 |
| Hourly | $16.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | $62,680 | 400 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $58,000 | 100 |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,690 | 150 |
| Dalton, GA | $46,090 | 150 |
| Gainesville, GA | $45,140 | 340 |
| Savannah, GA | $44,980 | 460 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $44,500 | 290 |
| Rome, GA | $41,360 | 70 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $39,870 | 10,630 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $39,430 | 410 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $36,830 | 580 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $36,410 | 360 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $36,250 | 1,290 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,980 | 120 |
| Valdosta, GA | $35,970 | 230 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $35,030 | 460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $34,810 | 200 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,510 | 2,290 |
| Knoxville, TN | $29,500 | 520 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,370 | 80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,320 | 320 |
| Cleveland, TN | $28,130 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for preschool teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62,150 |
| Vermont | $49,730 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 |
| Kansas | $47,750 |
| California | $47,400 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 |
| New York | $46,520 |
| Alaska | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 |
See Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teachers, except special education make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $34,600 a year, or $16.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $64,610 a year. The top 25% earn $48,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,470 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $28,670 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 500 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.