Teacher Salary

Henderson vs Louisville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Henderson, KY
$60,956
$29.30/hr
Louisville, KY
$67,954
$32.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHenderson, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$60,956$67,954
Hourly Rate$29.30$32.67
Entry Level (P10)$45,397$47,084
25th Percentile$56,652$58,277
75th Percentile$74,656$86,982
Top Earner (P90)$94,481$105,329
Total Employed4132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Henderson ($60,956) and Louisville ($67,954) elementary school teacher salaries.HendersonLouisvilleMedian Salary$60,956$67,954Entry Level (P10)$45,397$47,084Top Earner (P90)$94,481$105,329US Median $64,597

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Henderson.

The salary gap between Henderson and Louisville is $6,998 (11.48%). Louisville's median is +5.20% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Henderson spans $49,084,Louisville spans $58,245. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Henderson
P10 (Entry)$45,397
P25$56,652
Median$60,956
P75$74,656
P90 (Top)$94,481
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$47,084
P25$58,277
Median$67,954
P75$86,982
P90 (Top)$105,329

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($76,096 effective) pays 11.48% more than Henderson ($68,260 effective).

Henderson
Nominal: $60,956
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $68,260
Louisville
Nominal: $67,954
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $76,096

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Henderson if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,954/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,329)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,096)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Henderson grew 19.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Henderson, KY

+19.2%

$50,652 (2024) → $60,364 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+19.2%

$56,468 (2024) → $67,295 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Henderson or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $67,954/year, compared to Henderson at $60,956/year — a difference of $6,998 (11.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Henderson and Louisville?

Henderson elementary school teachers earn $29.30/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $32.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Henderson to Louisville as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Henderson and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Henderson = $68,260, Louisville = $76,096), job availability (4 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Henderson vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $45,397 in Henderson and $47,084 in Louisville. The Louisville 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