Salaries › Special Education Teacher › Tennessee
Special Education Teacher Salary in Tennessee (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $52,447/year ($4,371/month) for a single filer
Tennessee ranks 27th of 51 states for Special Education Teacher pay, with a median about 12% below the national average. Of the 3,910 Special Education Teacher jobs BLS counts in Tennessee, the typical worker earns $62,560 a year — though pay ranges from $49,860 for newcomers to $79,360 at the top.
Special Education Teacher pay range in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $49,860 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $54,010 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $62,560 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $68,890 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $79,360 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,910 Special Education Teacher jobs in Tennessee (occupation code 25-2052, “Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School”).
Gross vs. take-home in Tennessee
A median Special Education Teacher salary of $62,560 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Tennessee), a single filer keeps about $52,447 — an effective tax rate of 16.2%.
| Gross (median) | $62,560 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,327 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,786 |
| Tennessee state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $52,447 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,371 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Tennessee paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Special Education Teacher make in Tennessee?
- The median Special Education Teacher salary in Tennessee is $62,560 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $54,010 and $68,890.
- What is the take-home pay for a Special Education Teacher in Tennessee?
- On the median salary of $62,560, a single filer in Tennessee takes home about $52,447 per year ($4,371 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 16.2%.
- How many Special Education Teacher jobs are there in Tennessee?
- BLS counts 3,910 Special Education Teacher jobs in Tennessee in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Special Education Teachers
Other salaries in Tennessee
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Tennessee state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Tennessee.