Teacher Salary

Bowling Green vs Florence: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Bowling Green, KY and Florence, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, KY
$61,860
$29.74/hr
Florence, KY
$61,763
$29.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYFlorence, KY
Median Salary$61,860$61,763
Hourly Rate$29.74$29.70
Entry Level (P10)$48,713$47,619
25th Percentile$48,713$56,018
75th Percentile$62,224$76,620
Top Earner (P90)$73,412$95,733
Total Employed9107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($61,860) and Florence ($61,763) elementary school teacher salaries.Bowling GreenFlorenceMedian Salary$61,860$61,763Entry Level (P10)$48,713$47,619Top Earner (P90)$73,412$95,733US Median $64,597

Verdict

Bowling Green, KY offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Florence is $97 (0.16%). Bowling Green's median is -4.24% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $24,699,Florence spans $48,114. Florence has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$48,713
P25$48,713
Median$61,860
P75$62,224
P90 (Top)$73,412
Florence
P10 (Entry)$47,619
P25$56,018
Median$61,763
P75$76,620
P90 (Top)$95,733

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Florence ($69,163 effective) pays 0.83% more than Bowling Green ($68,597 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $61,860
CoL Index: 90.179
Adjusted: $68,597
Florence
Nominal: $61,763
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $69,163

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,860/year)
  • Larger job market (910 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Florence if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,733)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,163)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Bowling Green grew 18.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Florence over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+18.5%

$51,680 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

Florence, KY

+19.2%

$51,323 (2024) → $61,164 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Bowling Green or Florence?

Bowling Green has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $61,860/year, compared to Florence at $61,763/year — a difference of $97 (0.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Florence?

Bowling Green elementary school teachers earn $29.74/hr while Florence hygienists earn $29.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Florence as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Florence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $68,597, Florence = $69,163), job availability (910 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Bowling Green vs Florence?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,713 in Bowling Green and $47,619 in Florence. The Bowling Green area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov