Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in Tennessee
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Tennessee earn a median of $61,860 a year, based on BLS data for 21,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,180 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $72,040. Tennessee ranks 35th of 51 states for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education pay. There are 6.5 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,050 |
| 25th percentile | $52,870 |
| Median | $61,860 |
| 75th percentile | $73,740 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,180 |
| Average (mean) | $62,950 |
Half of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical 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 | $5,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,577.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,379.23 |
| Weekly | $1,189.62 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $65,100 | 1,790 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $64,710 | 6,080 |
| Cleveland, TN | $63,380 | 280 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,130 | 2,820 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,230 | 4,860 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $61,990 | 790 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,300 | 330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,720 | 930 |
| Johnson City, TN | $60,180 | 640 |
| Jackson, TN | $59,700 | 580 |
Highest-paying states for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 |
| California | $101,370 |
| New York | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Illinois | $79,990 |
| Alaska | $79,650 |
See Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical 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 25-2031. 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 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Tennessee?
The median salary for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee is $61,860 a year. Pay ranges from $49,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee earn at least $79,180 a year. The top 25% earn $73,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,050 a year, and a quarter of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education earn $52,870 or less.
How many secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education work in Tennessee?
About 21,230 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.