Avg Teacher Salary
$65,189
Estimated from instructional expenditure / FTE
School district · Tennessee · LEAID 4703690
Rutherford County
Estimated average teacher salary of $65,189, per-pupil spending, enrollment, and budget for Rutherford County — from the NCES Common Core of Data F-33 finance survey (FY2022).
- $65,189
- Est. avg teacher salary
- $11,822
- Per-pupil spending
- 49,253
- Students enrolled
- 45th
- Pct. in TN
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,822
Total expenditure / enrollment
Student Enrollment
49,253 students
Salary vs State Average 97.8%
2.2% below Tennessee average
What the Numbers Say About Rutherford County
Rutherford County is a mid-sized school district in Tennessee, serving 49,253 students at an estimated per-pupil spending of $11,822. Estimated average teacher salary — derived from instructional expenditure variable Z33 divided by teacher FTE — is $65,189, placing the district in the lower-spending tier of NCES F-33 respondents. NCES LEAID 4703690 references the FY2022 Common Core of Data Local Education Agency Finance Survey.
Relative to the Tennessee statewide average of $66,654, teacher pay in Rutherford County runs slightly below the state benchmark — a 2.2% gap, and below the national instructional-salary estimate of $82,292 (20.8% differential). Among enrolling districts in Tennessee, it pays more than 45% of them. Licensing reciprocity, collective bargaining strength, and state aid formulas all contribute to where a district lands in these tiers.
On the budget side, Rutherford County reports $582.3M in total expenditure against $564.3M in revenue, with instructional salaries accounting for 37% of spending — a compensation-to-budget ratio that signals how much of each tax dollar reaches classroom educators. Regular-program teacher salary outlay is $168.4M, special-education teacher pay is $17.2M. These figures are district-level aggregates from F-33, not individual contracts — step-and-column schedules, stipends, and collectively-bargained differentials sit underneath these totals.
How does Rutherford County compare?
Estimated average teacher salary versus a peer district, the Tennessee average, and the national average. Pick any in-state district to compare.
Rutherford County pays -8.3% less than Shelby County · per-pupil $11,822 vs $15,292
Estimated from NCES F-33 instructional salary expenditure (FY2022). Service entities excluded; estimates assume a 15:1 ratio.
Revenue & Expenditure
$564.3M
Total Revenue
$582.3M
Total Expenditure
$214.0M
Instruction Salaries
37% of total spending
Instructional Salary by Program
$168.4M
Regular Program
$17.2M
Special Education
$9.9M
Vocational
$1.7M
Other Programs
Other Tennessee Districts
About This Data
Source: NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey, Fiscal Year 2022.
Methodology: Average salary figures are estimates derived from total instructional salary expenditure (variable Z33) divided by estimated teacher FTE. These are district-level aggregates — not individual salary records.
Coverage: Data covers public school districts in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Private schools are not included.
Limitations: Instructional salary data includes classroom teachers and some instructional aides depending on district reporting practices. Salary figures may differ from collectively-bargained salary schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average teacher salary in Rutherford County?
The estimated average teacher salary in Rutherford County is $65,189 (NCES CCD FY2022). This is based on total instructional salary expenditure divided by estimated teacher FTE.
How does Rutherford County teacher pay compare to the Tennessee average?
Rutherford County pays 2.2% less than the Tennessee state average of $66,654. The district's estimated average is $65,189.
How does Rutherford County teacher pay compare to the national average?
Rutherford County pays 20.8% below the national F-33 estimate of $82,292. The district estimated average is $65,189.
What is the per-pupil spending in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County spends approximately $11,822 per student annually (NCES FY2022). This includes instructional salaries, support services, and administration.
How many students are enrolled in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County has 49,253 students enrolled according to NCES CCD FY2022 data.
What percentage of Rutherford County's budget goes to teacher salaries?
Instructional salaries account for 37% of Rutherford County's total expenditure of $582.3M (NCES FY2022).
Where does this teacher salary data come from?
This data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey, Fiscal Year 2022. Salary figures are estimates derived from instructional expenditure data (variable Z33) divided by estimated teacher FTE. These are district-level aggregates, not individual salary records.
Related Guides
- Understanding Per-Pupil Spending — What spending levels mean for teacher compensation
- How to Read NCES Finance Data — What F-33 survey data measures and its limitations
- Using District Data for Salary Negotiation — Practical strategies for teachers
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainTeacher Editorial
| Publisher | PlainTeacher |
| Sources | Public official public datasets |