Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Tennessee
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Tennessee earn a median of $61,360 a year, based on BLS data for 2,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,640 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,260. Tennessee ranks 36th of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay. There are 0.61 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $61,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,190 |
| 25th percentile | $52,540 |
| Median | $61,360 |
| 75th percentile | $65,770 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,640 |
| Average (mean) | $61,990 |
Half of special education teachers, secondary school 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 | $5,113.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,556.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,360 |
| Weekly | $1,180 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, secondary school 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 $61,360 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, Secondary School salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, TN | $63,280 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,030 | 320 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $62,130 | 220 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $61,450 | 110 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $61,360 | 720 |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,120 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $60,500 | 290 |
| Jackson, TN | $59,960 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, secondary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 |
| California | $101,060 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 |
| Maryland | $93,530 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 |
| New York | $89,310 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 |
| Alaska | $80,580 |
See Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 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 25-2058. 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, secondary school make in Tennessee?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in Tennessee is $61,360 a year. Pay ranges from $50,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in Tennessee earn at least $77,640 a year. The top 25% earn $65,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,190 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $52,540 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Tennessee?
About 2,010 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.