Teacher Salary

Lexington vs Radcliff: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Lexington, KY
$62,062
$29.84/hr
Radcliff, KY
$59,811
$28.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington, KYRadcliff, KY
Median Salary$62,062$59,811
Hourly Rate$29.84$28.76
Entry Level (P10)$47,602$47,513
25th Percentile$51,924$55,052
75th Percentile$73,352$74,351
Top Earner (P90)$83,632$91,834
Total Employed2,4204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington ($62,062) and Radcliff ($59,811) elementary school teacher salaries.LexingtonRadcliffMedian Salary$62,062$59,811Entry Level (P10)$47,602$47,513Top Earner (P90)$83,632$91,834US Median $64,597

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Radcliff.

The salary gap between Lexington and Radcliff is $2,251 (3.76%). Lexington's median is -3.92% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington spans $36,030,Radcliff spans $44,321. Radcliff has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Lexington
P10 (Entry)$47,602
P25$51,924
Median$62,062
P75$73,352
P90 (Top)$83,632
Radcliff
P10 (Entry)$47,513
P25$55,052
Median$59,811
P75$74,351
P90 (Top)$91,834

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Radcliff ($66,978 effective) pays 0.25% more than Lexington ($66,813 effective).

Lexington
Nominal: $62,062
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $66,813
Radcliff
Nominal: $59,811
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $66,978

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,062/year)
  • Larger job market (2,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Radcliff if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,834)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,978)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Lexington grew 7.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Radcliff over the same period.

Lexington, KY

+7.9%

$56,970 (2019) → $61,460 (2025)

Radcliff, KY

+19.2%

$49,701 (2024) → $59,231 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Lexington or Radcliff?

Lexington has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,062/year, compared to Radcliff at $59,811/year — a difference of $2,251 (3.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Radcliff?

Lexington elementary school teachers earn $29.84/hr while Radcliff hygienists earn $28.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lexington to Radcliff as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington and Radcliff. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington = $66,813, Radcliff = $66,978), job availability (2,420 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Lexington vs Radcliff?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,602 in Lexington and $47,513 in Radcliff. The Lexington 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