Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $32.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Louisville, KY runs $32.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,954 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,768 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers is $32.67, reflecting a competitive rate compared to the national median of $31.06. This higher hourly rate can significantly benefit those pursuing part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, or engaging in per-diem roles across various educational settings, including K-12 classroom instruction and special education. Additionally, teachers may find themselves in diverse environments, such as summer school programs or facilitating professional development training. The hourly rate in Louisville ranges from $22.64 at the entry-level up to $50.64 for top earners, providing a range that accommodates both new educators and those with extensive experience. These hourly estimates are derived from the anticipated annual salaries based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.64 | $181.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.02 | $224.18 |
| Median (P50) | $32.67 | $261.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.82 | $334.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.64 | $405.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $32.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.67/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $67,947 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,200. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,306.68 | $5,662 | $67,947 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $784.01 | $3,397 | $40,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.67 | $2,265 | $27,179 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Louisville) | $32.67 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $67,954 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.20% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $62,344.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.67/hr = $40,768/year (purchasing power: $45,653).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,947/year (purchasing power: $76,089).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Louisville grew 7.2% from $30.18/hr (2019) to $32.35/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.99/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
For part-time elementary school teachers working three days a week, a typical earning scenario translates to approximately 24 hours of weekly work, resulting in a yearly income considerably lower than what full-time educators earn. Per-diem positions, whether as substitutes or long-term replacements, offer varying daily rates, typically between $100 to $250, depending on the district and duration. Tutoring opportunities can yield direct compensation between $30 and $80 per hour, with some markets allowing for as much as $200 for SAT or ACT prep. Moreover, hourly pay can differ drastically among employer types in Louisville, where K-12 public schools, charter networks like KIPP, and private institutions reflect unique pay scales. The trade-off between lower hourly rates and benefits such as health insurance offers a critical consideration for teachers weighing their options. Therefore, when negotiating hourly pay in Louisville, educators should be mindful of both their immediate compensation and longer-term benefits that might enhance their overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Louisville, 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 Louisville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Louisville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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