Teacher Salary

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

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

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$62,214
$29.91/hr
Madisonville, KY
$59,380
$28.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYMadisonville, KY
Median Salary$62,214$59,380
Hourly Rate$29.91$28.55
Entry Level (P10)$47,693$46,427
25th Percentile$49,975$54,115
75th Percentile$80,521$72,045
Top Earner (P90)$93,669$88,314
Total Employed5,5105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($62,214) and Madisonville ($59,380) elementary school teacher salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyMadisonvilleMedian Salary$62,214$59,380Entry Level (P10)$47,693$46,427Top Earner (P90)$93,669$88,314US Median $64,597

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Madisonville.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Madisonville is $2,834 (4.77%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -3.69% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $45,976,Madisonville spans $41,887. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$47,693
P25$49,975
Median$62,214
P75$80,521
P90 (Top)$93,669
Madisonville
P10 (Entry)$46,427
P25$54,115
Median$59,380
P75$72,045
P90 (Top)$88,314

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($66,844 effective) pays 0.52% more than Madisonville ($66,495 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $62,214
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $66,844
Madisonville
Nominal: $59,380
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $66,495

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,214/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,669)
  • Larger job market (5,510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,844)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Madisonville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 17.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.2% growth in Madisonville over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+17.7%

$52,340 (2019) → $61,610 (2025)

Madisonville, KY

+19.2%

$49,343 (2024) → $58,804 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,214/year, compared to Madisonville at $59,380/year — a difference of $2,834 (4.77%).

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

Louisville/Jefferson County elementary school teachers earn $29.91/hr while Madisonville hygienists earn $28.55/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Madisonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $66,844, Madisonville = $66,495), job availability (5,510 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,693 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $46,427 in Madisonville. 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