Secondary School Teachers in Tennessee. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Secondary school teachers in Tennessee earned a median wage of $60,330 in 2024, about 16% below the national median of $72,150. The mean came in slightly lower at $59,340, which is the reverse of what we usually see in professional occupations. It suggests the higher earners here are not pulling far ahead of the middle, and the overall pay range stays relatively compressed.
That compression shows up in the spread. The 10th percentile sat at $47,240 and the 90th at $76,700, a gap of roughly $29,500 across the full range. Compare that to occupations where top earners make two or three times what entry-level workers do, and this one looks narrow. Most Tennessee secondary school teachers land somewhere between $49,770 and $63,010, a band of just over $13,000.
Tennessee's cost of living runs below the national baseline. BEA regional price data puts the state index at 92.5, meaning goods and services cost about 7.5% less here than the US average. After that adjustment, the effective purchasing power of the $60,330 median comes closer to $65,200 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the gap with the $72,150 national figure, though a roughly $7,000 difference remains.
On outlook, BLS projects employment for this occupation to decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, which puts it in the decline category. That is a modest contraction rather than a sharp one, but it does run against the growth trend seen in most education occupations nationally. Demographic shifts in school-age population and ongoing budget pressures at the state level are the factors BLS points to in the broader K-12 employment picture.
Salary distribution
Where Tennessee secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $52,870 and $73,740, with a median of $61,860.
Secondary School Teachers in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 57 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $56,797. 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.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 27 | $50,811 |
| Level II — qualified | 29 | $57,399 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $60,060 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Tennessee. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis-Shelby County Schools | Classroom Teacher - Mathematics | 29 | $54,776 |
| Shelby County Schools | Classroom Teacher - Mathematics | 9 | $55,969 |
| STEM Preparatory Academy | High School Math Teacher | 6 | $65,228 |
| Memphis- Shelby County Schools | Classroom Teacher/ Biology 7-12 grade | 3 | $50,811 |
| Read Foundation | Computer Teacher | 3 | $60,000 |
| Christ Presbyterian Church, Inc. | High School Spanish Teacher | 1 | $57,000 |
| Girls Preparatory School | Middle/Upper School Spanish Teacher | 1 | $51,500 |
| KIPP Nashville Public Schools | Lead Teacher | 1 | $55,070 |
| Montgomery Bell Academy of the University of Nashville | English Teacher | 1 | $82,000 |
| Nurses Middle College Nashville | Resident Teacher (Math) | 1 | $43,960 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- HB-Grade 9-12 Math Teacher at Memphis-Shelby County Schools$60,060MemphisWage Level IDecided Mar 19, 2026I-200-26071-699239
- High School English Teacher at STEM Preparatory Academy$64,586NashvilleWage Level IIDecided Mar 12, 2026I-200-26064-681778
- Resident Teacher (Math) at Nurses Middle College Nashville$43,960NashvilleWage Level IDecided Dec 3, 2025I-200-25329-436377
- Classroom Teacher - Mathematics at Shelby County Schools$55,969MemphisWage Level IDecided Sep 29, 2025I-200-25265-326133
- CTE-STEM Classroom Teacher at Shelby County Schools$57,832MemphisWage Level IIDecided Sep 29, 2025I-200-25265-326092
- Classroom Teacher - Mathematics at Shelby County Schools$55,969MemphisWage Level IDecided Sep 29, 2025I-200-25265-325664
- Classroom Teacher at Shelby County Schools$58,855MemphisWage Level IIDecided Aug 13, 2025I-200-25218-226103
- Classroom Teacher at Shelby County Schools$58,855MemphisWage Level IDecided Aug 13, 2025I-200-25218-225959
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.
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Secondary 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.
Secondary School Teachers specialties in Tennessee
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 31 certified offers. The most common variant is Classroom Teacher - Mathematics at a median of $54,776.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom Teacher - Mathematics | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | 21 | $54,776 |
| Classroom Teacher | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | 7 | $58,855 |
| Classroom Teacher/ Mathematics 4-9 & 7-12 grade | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | 3 | $50,811 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Tennessee over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Tennessee is $61,860.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Tennessee median is -17.1% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Tennessee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $49,050 and the 90th-percentile at $79,180, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
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.