BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Preschool Teachers in Tennessee

$41,170 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$19.79 per hour

▼ 4.3% below U.S. average27th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$41,170per year
Median$34,280per year
Hourly$19.79per hour
10th – 90th percentile$27,160 – $64,480per year

Preschool Teachers Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,160
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$29,290
  • 50th Percentile — Median$34,280
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$53,450
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$64,480

Half of Preschool Teachers in Tennessee earn more than $34,280. The top 10% make $64,480 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,160.

Preschool Teachers in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 27th of 51 states for Preschool Teachers pay, at $41,170 per year (4.3% below the U.S. average of $43,030).
  • 5,420 people work as Preschool Teachers in Tennessee — 1.1% of all U.S. Preschool Teachers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.54: Preschool Teachers jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,160; the top 10% earn over $64,480.
  • Hourly equivalent: $19.79 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $68,100.
  • Among education jobs in Tennessee, Business Professors pays the most ($109,730).

Preschool Teachers Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Preschool Teachers here earn $41,170 on average, placing the state 27th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $41,170 is roughly equivalent to $46,784 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Dakota ($42,440), New Hampshire ($41,950), North Dakota ($41,620) are the closest alternatives for Preschool Teachers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Preschool Teachers salary in Tennessee?

The average Preschool Teachers salary in Tennessee is $41,170 per year (median $34,280), which is 4.3% below the national average of $43,030.

How does Tennessee rank for Preschool Teachers pay?

Tennessee ranks 27th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($68,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Preschool Teachers make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Preschool Teachers in Tennessee earn about $27,160 per year and the 25th percentile is $29,290.

How much do Preschool Teachers make per hour in Tennessee?

About $19.79 per hour, based on the $41,170 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Preschool Teachers work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 5,420 Preschool Teachers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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