Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in Tennessee
Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Tennessee earn a median of $59,550 a year, based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,900 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $64,830. Tennessee ranks 32nd of 45 states for special education teachers, preschool pay. There are 0.10 special education teachers, preschool per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $59,100, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, preschool in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,210 |
| 25th percentile | $49,070 |
| Median | $59,550 |
| 75th percentile | $66,140 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,900 |
| Average (mean) | $59,100 |
Half of special education teachers, preschool 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 | $4,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,290.38 |
| Weekly | $1,145.19 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, preschool are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $63,830 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,150 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,590 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,960 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $46,840 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, preschool
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99,070 |
| New Jersey | $92,060 |
| Connecticut | $87,960 |
| Washington | $86,580 |
| Maryland | $85,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,510 |
| Alaska | $80,390 |
| Vermont | $79,000 |
| Colorado | $78,040 |
| Virginia | $77,570 |
See Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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 25-2051. 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 special education teachers, preschool make in Tennessee?
The median salary for special education teachers, preschool in Tennessee is $59,550 a year. Pay ranges from $44,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, preschool make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of special education teachers, preschool in Tennessee earn at least $77,900 a year. The top 25% earn $66,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, preschool in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,210 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, preschool earn $49,070 or less.
How many special education teachers, preschool work in Tennessee?
About 330 special education teachers, preschool are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.