BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Special Education Teachers in Tennessee

$66,680 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$32.06 per hour

▼ 16.4% below U.S. average24th of 42 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$66,680per year
Median$63,300per year
Hourly$32.06per hour
10th – 90th percentile$45,490 – $81,740per year

Special Education Teachers Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,490
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$61,030
  • 50th Percentile — Median$63,300
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$76,670
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$81,740

Half of Special Education Teachers in Tennessee earn more than $63,300. The top 10% make $81,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,490.

Special Education Teachers in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 24th of 42 states for Special Education Teachers pay, at $66,680 per year (16.4% below the U.S. average of $79,750).
  • 180 people work as Special Education Teachers in Tennessee — 0.5% of all U.S. Special Education Teachers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.26: Special Education Teachers jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,490; the top 10% earn over $81,740.
  • Hourly equivalent: $32.06 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $101,160.
  • Among education jobs in Tennessee, Business Professors pays the most ($109,730).

Special Education Teachers Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Special Education Teachers here earn $66,680 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $66,680 is roughly equivalent to $75,773 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($69,330), Iowa ($67,400), Arizona ($67,330) are the closest alternatives for Special Education 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 Special Education Teachers salary in Tennessee?

The average Special Education Teachers salary in Tennessee is $66,680 per year (median $63,300), which is 16.4% below the national average of $79,750.

How does Tennessee rank for Special Education Teachers pay?

Tennessee ranks 24th out of 42 states. The highest-paying state is California ($101,160/yr).

How much do entry-level Special Education Teachers make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Education Teachers in Tennessee earn about $45,490 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,030.

How much do Special Education Teachers make per hour in Tennessee?

About $32.06 per hour, based on the $66,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Special Education Teachers work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 180 Special Education Teachers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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