Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $29.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Lexington, KY runs $29.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,062 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,240 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lexington, KY, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to reach $29.84 by 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.06. This figure represents a meaningful opportunity for those considering part-time or per-diem positions within K-12 educational settings, such as classrooms or tutoring programs. For an educator working three days a week, these hourly rates can convert into sustainable income, especially when factoring in the flexibility these roles often offer. While teaching positions can range from entry-level rates of $22.88 to experienced educators earning as much as $40.21 per hour, the potential earnings reflect both experience and the type of school environment—public, charter, or private—where teachers find employment. These figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, providing a reliable foundation for understanding the local job market for teachers.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.88 | $183.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.96 | $199.70 |
| Median (P50) | $29.84 | $238.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.26 | $282.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.21 | $321.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $29.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.84/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $62,066 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,808. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,193.58 | $5,172 | $62,066 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $716.15 | $3,103 | $37,240 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.43 | $2,069 | $24,827 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Lexington) | $29.84 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Lexington, KY earn a median of $62,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.40% below the Kentucky state average of $62,312.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.84/hr = $37,240/year (purchasing power: $40,091).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,066/year (purchasing power: $66,818).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Lexington grew 7.9% from $27.39/hr (2019) to $29.55/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Lexington
For elementary school teachers contemplating part-time work in Lexington, the financial trade-offs can be significant. A teacher working an average of 24 hours per week may take home about $36,305 annually, compared to full-time colleagues who earn considerably more. Rates for per diem elementary school teacher pay in Lexington also vary widely; for instance, substitute teachers might receive $100-$200 per day, while long-term subs can earn between $140 and $250 daily. Tutoring sessions through platforms may offer $30-$80 per hour, with specialized SAT and ACT prep commanding higher rates. Additionally, elementary educators should consider the types of institutions they wish to work for, as K-12 public districts may offer steadier benefits, while charter schools might provide higher pay but less job security. Balancing hourly rates with health insurance and other benefits is crucial for many educators; it's wise for potential hires to negotiate compensation based on their unique circumstances when considering various employment opportunities in the region.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Lexington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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