RateOrchard
DATA PROFILE · 2024

Elementary School Teachers salary in Tennessee

Median, range, employment, and 10-year outlook from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, with skills and task data from O*NET. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 27, 2026
Median annual$52,690
Mean annual$55,800
Range (10th to 90th)$46,100 to $71,180
Tennessee employment28,880
State vs national-22.3% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Tennessee elementary school teachers fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$46,10025TH$48,410MEDIAN$52,69075TH$61,98090TH$71,180

The middle 50% of workers earn between $48,410 and $61,980, with a median of $52,690.

Real disclosed salaries

Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay

Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $51,728. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.

By DOL wage level

DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.

LevelFilingsMedian offer
Level I — entry5$50,000
Level II — qualified1$58,677
Level III — experienced1$77,703
Level IV — fully competent1$68,972

Top employers filing for this role

Companies with the most certified filings for Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.

EmployerMost-filed titleFilingsMedian
Jackson Madison County School SystemElementary Regular Education Teacher2$49,395
KIPP NashvilleTeacher2$56,066
Chattanooga Christian School, Inc.The Glenwood School Teacher2$50,000
The Westminster Academy, Inc.Third Grade Teacher1$68,972
Giles County Board of EducationTeacher1$77,703

Recent sample filings

A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.

  • Elementary Regular Education Teacher at Jackson Madison County School System
    $49,395
    JacksonWage Level IDecided Sep 30, 2025I-203-25266-327812
  • Third Grade Teacher at The Westminster Academy, Inc.
    $68,972
    MemphisWage Level IVDecided Jul 30, 2025I-200-25205-196586
  • Teacher at KIPP Nashville
    $53,455
    NashvilleWage Level IDecided Jun 2, 2025I-200-25143-013347
  • The Glenwood School Teacher at Chattanooga Christian School, Inc.
    $50,000
    ChattanoogaWage Level IDecided Mar 26, 2025I-202-25078-786884
  • The Glenwood School Teacher at Chattanooga Christian School, Inc.
    $50,000
    ChattanoogaWage Level IDecided Mar 19, 2025I-202-25071-769314
  • Teacher at Giles County Board of Education
    $77,703
    PulaskiWage Level IIIDecided Feb 7, 2025I-203-25031-657576
  • Lead Teacher at KIPP Nashville
    $58,677
    AntiochWage Level IIDecided Jan 14, 2025I-200-25006-598414
  • Elementary Regular Education Teacher at Jackson Madison County School System
    $49,395
    JacksonWage Level IDecided Aug 20, 2025I-203-25225-240821

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.

By seniority

Elementary School Teachers pay by experience level in Tennessee

Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.

Pay by industry

Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee, by industry

Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $50,000.

IndustryLargest employerFilingsMedian offer
EducationJackson Madison County School System7$50,000
Government and public sectorGiles County Board of Education1$77,703

Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.

Wage trend

Median annual wage in Tennessee over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.

Median annual wage, Tennessee2023 to 2024
$51,5502023$52,6902024

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    Internship/residency

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Oral Expression

    Ability

    4.6 / 5
  • Education and Training

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    4.4 / 5
  • Speaking

    Basic skill

    4.3 / 5
  • Instructing

    Technical

    4.3 / 5
  • Learning Strategies

    Cross-functional

    4.1 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.0 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.

  2. 02

    Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.

  3. 03

    Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.

  4. 04

    Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.

  5. 05

    Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

  6. 06

    Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.

  7. 07

    Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.

  8. 08

    Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.

10-year outlook

Growth 2024 → 2034

-2.0%

Projected annual openings

BLS outlook

Declining

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 20242034 cycle.

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Top metros in Tennessee

Metro-level salary data for elementary school teachers in major Tennessee metropolitan areas.

Compare Elementary School Teachers pay across nearby states

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee?
According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee is $52,690.
How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Elementary School Teachers?
The Tennessee median is -22.3% versus the BLS national figure of $67,847.
What is the salary range for Elementary School Teachers in Tennessee?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $46,100 and the 90th-percentile at $71,180, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
Is Elementary School Teachers a growing field?
BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -2.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
What education is required for Elementary School Teachers?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.