High School Teacher Salary in Memphis, TN — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Memphis's cost of living (index: 84). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
High School Teacher Salary in Memphis — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Memphis
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Memphis
Memphis has a metro population of 1,360,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 5.4% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Memphis
Other Professions in Memphis
High School Teacher Salary — Other Tennessee Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a High School Teacher make in Memphis, TN?
The estimated median salary for a High School Teacher in Memphis is $52,970 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $63,060 adjusted by Memphis's cost of living index (84). The typical salary range runs from $41,370 (25th percentile) to $67,889 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $84,462.
Is Memphis affordable for a High School Teacher?
On a $52,970 annual salary, a High School Teacher in Memphis would spend approximately 20.6% of gross monthly income on median rent ($908/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Memphis relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $195,000 is 3.7× the annual salary.
How does a High School Teacher's salary compare to Memphis's overall income?
Memphis's median household income is $50,200. A High School Teacher earning the city-adjusted median of $52,970 earns 5.5% more than the typical Memphis household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.