Teacher Salary

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

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

Bowling Green, KY
$61,860
$29.74/hr
Jeffersontown, KY
$59,171
$28.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYJeffersontown, KY
Median Salary$61,860$59,171
Hourly Rate$29.74$28.45
Entry Level (P10)$48,713$46,254
25th Percentile$48,713$54,180
75th Percentile$62,224$75,222
Top Earner (P90)$73,412$91,715
Total Employed9105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($61,860) and Jeffersontown ($59,171) elementary school teacher salaries.Bowling GreenJeffersontownMedian Salary$61,860$59,171Entry Level (P10)$48,713$46,254Top Earner (P90)$73,412$91,715US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Jeffersontown is $2,689 (4.54%). 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,Jeffersontown spans $45,461. Jeffersontown 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
Jeffersontown
P10 (Entry)$46,254
P25$54,180
Median$59,171
P75$75,222
P90 (Top)$91,715

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bowling Green ($68,597 effective) pays 3.53% more than Jeffersontown ($66,261 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $61,860
CoL Index: 90.179
Adjusted: $68,597
Jeffersontown
Nominal: $59,171
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $66,261

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,597)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersontown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,715)
  • 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 Jeffersontown over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+18.5%

$51,680 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

Jeffersontown, KY

+19.2%

$49,169 (2024) → $58,597 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Bowling Green has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $61,860/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $59,171/year — a difference of $2,689 (4.54%).

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

Bowling Green elementary school teachers earn $29.74/hr while Jeffersontown hygienists earn $28.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Jeffersontown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $68,597, Jeffersontown = $66,261), job availability (910 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,713 in Bowling Green and $46,254 in Jeffersontown. 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