Teacher Salary

Elizabethtown vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Elizabethtown, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabethtown, KY
$62,446
$30.02/hr
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$62,214
$29.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYLouisville/Jefferson County, KY
Median Salary$62,446$62,214
Hourly Rate$30.02$29.91
Entry Level (P10)$47,299$47,693
25th Percentile$47,299$49,975
75th Percentile$65,576$80,521
Top Earner (P90)$74,543$93,669
Total Employed4705,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($62,446) and Louisville/Jefferson County ($62,214) elementary school teacher salaries.ElizabethtownLouisville/Jefferson CountyMedian Salary$62,446$62,214Entry Level (P10)$47,299$47,693Top Earner (P90)$74,543$93,669US Median $64,597

Verdict

Elizabethtown and Louisville/Jefferson County are closely matched on overall elementary school teacher compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Louisville/Jefferson County is $232 (0.37%). Elizabethtown's median is -3.33% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $27,244,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $45,976. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$47,299
P25$47,299
Median$62,446
P75$65,576
P90 (Top)$74,543
Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$47,693
P25$49,975
Median$62,214
P75$80,521
P90 (Top)$93,669

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elizabethtown ($68,946 effective) pays 3.15% more than Louisville/Jefferson County ($66,844 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $62,446
CoL Index: 90.572
Adjusted: $68,946
Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $62,214
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $66,844

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,446/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,946)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,669)
  • Larger job market (5,510 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Elizabethtown grew 13.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+13.7%

$54,370 (2019) → $61,840 (2025)

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+17.7%

$52,340 (2019) → $61,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Elizabethtown or Louisville/Jefferson County?

Elizabethtown has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,446/year, compared to Louisville/Jefferson County at $62,214/year — a difference of $232 (0.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Louisville/Jefferson County?

Elizabethtown elementary school teachers earn $30.02/hr while Louisville/Jefferson County hygienists earn $29.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Louisville/Jefferson County as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Louisville/Jefferson County. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $68,946, Louisville/Jefferson County = $66,844), job availability (470 vs 5,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Elizabethtown vs Louisville/Jefferson County?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,299 in Elizabethtown and $47,693 in Louisville/Jefferson County. The Louisville/Jefferson County 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