Tennessee Teacher Salary and Benefits
Tennessee teachers earn median annual salaries ranging from $58,070 for kindergarten teachers to $61,860 for high school teachers, according to May 2025 BLS data. Job openings are projected to grow across every grade band through 2034. Teachers also receive a defined-benefit pension through TCRS and subsidized health insurance through the state group plan.
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Tennessee ties teacher pay to state-mandated minimum salary schedules set by the Department of Education, then lets individual districts add local supplements on top of that floor. Full-time public school teachers also qualify for a defined-benefit pension and subsidized health insurance that can extend to dependents. Learn more about the requirements to teach in Tennessee by contacting schools offering teacher education and certification programs in Tennessee. If you’re already certified in another state, check Tennessee’s teacher reciprocity requirements to see if your license transfers.
How Much Do Tennessee Teachers Earn?
Tennessee teacher salary figures vary by grade level. The table below shows median annual wages for Tennessee teachers as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Grade Level | Median Annual Wage | Tennessee Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $58,070 | 2,740 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $59,980 | 28,240 |
| Middle School Teachers | $60,690 | 13,060 |
| High School Teachers | $61,860 | 21,230 |
BLS data shows Tennessee high school teachers earned the highest median pay of the four grade bands, at $61,860 as of May 2025, while kindergarten teachers earned the least, at $58,070. District salary schedules add local supplements on top of these state-level figures, and most districts place teachers with a master’s degree or additional certifications higher on the pay scale. Check with your local school district for the exact salary schedule that applies to your degree and experience level.
Job Growth for Teachers in Tennessee
Nationally, the BLS projects a slight decline in teacher employment through 2034, but Tennessee bucks that trend. Every grade band covered by the state’s certification system is projected to grow.
| Grade Level | Projected Growth (2024-2034) | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | +9.4% | 350 |
| Elementary School Teachers | +8.9% | 2,200 |
| Middle School Teachers | +8.9% | 890 |
| High School Teachers | +9.4% | 1,370 |
Tennessee’s projections show 8.9% growth for elementary school teachers between 2024 and 2034, with an average of 2,200 job openings per year. Middle and high school teachers see similar growth, according to Tennessee’s state labor market data. That’s a stronger outlook than the national picture, where all four occupations are projected to decline slightly over the same period.
Retirement Benefits for Tennessee Teachers
When you start your career as a teacher in Tennessee, you’re enrolled in a pension program through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Which specific plan you’re in depends on your hire date. Teachers hired before July 1, 2014 are in the Legacy Plan, a traditional defined benefit pension. Teachers hired on or after July 1, 2014 are in the Hybrid Plan, which combines a smaller defined benefit pension with a 401(k) account.
Teachers in both plans contribute 5% of salary to the defined benefit portion. Hybrid Plan members also contribute 2% of salary to the 401(k) component by default, though that amount can be adjusted or opted out of. Employer contribution rates are set separately for each plan and can change from year to year, so check with your local school district for the current figures.
At retirement, TCRS calculates your monthly pension using a formula based on a benefit accrual factor, your average final compensation, and your years of creditable service. The exact accrual factor and vesting period depend on which plan you’re in. You can estimate your likely benefit using the retirement calculator provided by the Tennessee Department of Treasury.
Eligibility for an unreduced benefit also depends on your plan:
- Legacy Plan (hired before July 1, 2014): age 60 with five years of service, or any age with 30 years of service
- Hybrid Plan (hired July 1, 2014 or later): age 65 with five years of service, or the “Rule of 90,” where your age plus years of service add up to 90 or more
Beyond retirement benefits, TCRS also offers death and disability benefits to members and their beneficiaries. To learn more about the full range of retirement benefits available to Tennessee teachers, contact the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System.
Health Insurance Benefits for Tennessee Teachers
Many Tennessee teachers can access health insurance through the state’s Group Insurance Program, but participation depends on whether your local school district has opted in. Districts that participate typically offer a choice between a Partnership PPO plan and a Standard PPO plan. The two plans differ in cost and details, but both cover similar services, and the Partnership PPO requires you to enter a wellness contract in exchange for lower costs. Districts that haven’t joined the state program generally offer their own health plan instead, so check with your district’s HR office to confirm which option applies to you.
Both plans cover the following services:
- Routine physicals
- Well child visits
- Hospital care
- Emergency room visits
- Prescriptions
Tennessee also offers dental, vision, and life insurance as optional benefits, though availability and cost vary depending on your employer. To learn more about the health benefits available to you as a teacher in Tennessee, contact the Tennessee Partners for Health program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average teacher salary in Tennessee?
Median annual pay ranges from $58,070 for kindergarten teachers to $61,860 for high school teachers, according to May 2025 BLS data. Elementary and middle school teachers fall in between, at $59,980 and $60,690 respectively.
Do Tennessee teachers get a pension?
Yes. Tennessee teachers are enrolled in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Teachers hired before July 1, 2014 are in the Legacy Plan, a traditional pension. Teachers hired after that date are in the Hybrid Plan, which pairs a smaller pension with a 401(k). Teachers in both plans contribute 5% of salary to the pension portion.
What health insurance options do Tennessee teachers have?
Teachers choose between a Partnership PPO plan and a Standard PPO plan through the state group insurance program. Both cover routine physicals, hospital care, emergency room visits, and prescriptions. Dental, vision, and life insurance are available as optional add-ons.
Is teacher employment growing in Tennessee?
Yes. The BLS projects growth between 8.9% and 9.4% for every teaching grade band in Tennessee between 2024 and 2034, with thousands of average annual openings statewide. That’s a stronger outlook than the national trend, where employment for these occupations is projected to decline slightly.
Does a master’s degree increase teacher pay in Tennessee?
Most Tennessee school districts place teachers with a master’s degree higher on the local salary schedule, on top of the state minimum. Exact amounts vary by district, so check your district’s published salary schedule for specifics.
- Pay varies by grade level: median annual wages range from $58,070 for kindergarten teachers to $61,860 for high school teachers as of May 2025.
- Job growth outpaces the national trend: every teaching grade band in Tennessee is projected to grow between 8.9% and 9.4% through 2034.
- TCRS provides a defined benefit pension: teachers contribute 5% of salary, with eligibility depending on the plan: Legacy Plan teachers (hired before July 1, 2014) qualify at age 60 with five years of service or any age with 30 years, while Hybrid Plan teachers qualify at age 65 with five years or under the Rule of 90.
- Health coverage depends on your district: districts that participate in the state Group Insurance Program typically offer a Partnership PPO and Standard PPO, while others provide their own district-run plan.
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May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
