SOC 25-2057 · Chattanooga, TN-GA metro

Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary in Chattanooga, TN

The average salary for special education teachers, middle school in Chattanooga, Tennessee is $60,920 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $60,360: half of the 220 people in this job in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($73,780).

$60,920average per year

Median $60,360Take-home ≈ $51,129

  • $47K10th
  • $48K25th
  • $60KMedian
  • $67K75th
  • $77K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

220people in this job
-17%vs U.S. average
#2 of 6Tennessee metros
91cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay range in Chattanooga

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,270 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,600 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, middle school in Chattanooga earn between $48,170 and $67,130.

  • $47K10th
  • $48K25th
  • $60KMedian
  • $67K75th
  • $77K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$60,920$5,077—
Median$60,360$5,030—
Entry level (25th percentile)$48,170$4,014—
Experienced (75th percentile)$67,130$5,594—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay in Chattanooga vs. Tennessee and the U.S.

Special education teachers, middle school in Chattanooga earn about the same as the Tennessee average ($60,950) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($73,780). At the median the gap is -10% against the U.S. median of $66,810.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Chattanooga$60,920$60,360$47,270$76,600220
Tennessee$60,950$60,000$48,640$75,4901,310
United States$73,780$66,810$49,420$102,51095,200

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary after taxes in Chattanooga

On the average salary of $60,920, a single filer in Chattanooga takes home about $51,129 a year, or $4,261 a month and $1,967 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.

The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in TN$51,129$4,261
Working in GA$48,838$4,070

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.

Tennessee paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Chattanooga a good place for special education teachers, middle school? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Chattanooga area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5), so the average $60,920 buys what about $66,605 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Chattanooga ($46,700). A typical home costs $326,370, or 5.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $60,920 is worth in another city

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in other Tennessee cities

Chattanooga ranks 2nd of 6 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($64,600).

All Special Education Teachers, Middle School salaries in Tennessee

Highest-paying cities for special education teachers, middle school

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($112,040).

Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by city

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Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in Chattanooga: questions

What is the entry-level special education teachers, middle school salary in Chattanooga?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,270 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,170, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the special education teachers, middle school take-home pay in Chattanooga?

About $51,129 a year ($4,261 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $60,920. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Do special education teachers, middle school earn more in Chattanooga than elsewhere?

The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($73,780).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2057; area Chattanooga, TN-GA (16860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.31, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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