Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Tennessee
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Tennessee earn a median of $34,280 a year ($16.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,480 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $38,140. Tennessee ranks 42nd of 51 states for preschool teachers, except special education pay. There are 1.7 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $41,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,160 | $13.06 |
| 25th percentile | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Median | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| 75th percentile | $53,450 | $25.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Average (mean) | $41,170 | $19.79 |
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 | $2,856.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,428.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,318.46 |
| Weekly | $659.23 |
| Hourly | $16.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,280 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $36,250 | 1,290 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,980 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $34,810 | 200 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $34,600 | 500 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Tennessee
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in Tennessee is $34,280 a year, or $16.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in Tennessee earn at least $64,480 a year. The top 25% earn $53,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,160 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $29,290 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Tennessee?
About 5,420 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.