BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Elementary School Teachers in Kentucky

$59,870 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$28.78 per hour

▼ 17.6% below U.S. average35th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$59,870per year
Median$60,610per year
Hourly$28.78per hour
10th – 90th percentile$45,600 – $79,740per year

Elementary School Teachers Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,600
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$48,400
  • 50th Percentile — Median$60,610
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$64,570
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$79,740

Half of Elementary School Teachers in Kentucky earn more than $60,610. The top 10% make $79,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,600.

Elementary School Teachers in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 35th of 51 states for Elementary School Teachers pay, at $59,870 per year (17.6% below the U.S. average of $72,650).
  • 19,080 people work as Elementary School Teachers in Kentucky — 1.4% of all U.S. Elementary School Teachers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.07: Elementary School Teachers jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,600; the top 10% earn over $79,740.
  • Hourly equivalent: $28.78 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $97,970.
  • Among education jobs in Kentucky, Chemistry Professors pays the most ($96,830).

Elementary School Teachers Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Elementary School Teachers here earn $59,870 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $59,870 is roughly equivalent to $72,133 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($62,210), Texas ($61,890), Idaho ($60,940) are the closest alternatives for Elementary School Teachers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Elementary School Teachers salary in Kentucky?

The average Elementary School Teachers salary in Kentucky is $59,870 per year (median $60,610), which is 17.6% below the national average of $72,650.

How does Kentucky rank for Elementary School Teachers pay?

Kentucky ranks 35th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($97,970/yr).

How much do entry-level Elementary School Teachers make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Elementary School Teachers in Kentucky earn about $45,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,400.

How much do Elementary School Teachers make per hour in Kentucky?

About $28.78 per hour, based on the $59,870 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Elementary School Teachers work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 19,080 Elementary School Teachers jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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