Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Richmond, KY: $29.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Richmond, KY runs $29.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,372 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,824 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Richmond, Kentucky, offers an elementary school teacher hourly pay of $29.51, slightly below the national median of $31.06. This rate facilitates various teaching arrangements, from full-time positions to part-time roles that might involve working three days a week in diverse settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and after-school programs. For per-diem workers, especially substitutes or those engaged in summer school, the hourly structure provides flexibility and options for additional income. The hourly pay ranges from $22.31 at the entry level to $45.45 for seasoned educators, illustrating the potential for growth with experience in Richmond's educational landscape.
About the Richmond 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) | $22.31 | $178.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.53 | $212.22 |
| Median (P50) | $29.51 | $236.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.01 | $296.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.45 | $363.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $29.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.51/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, KY can expect to earn approximately $61,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,408. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,180.25 | $5,114 | $61,373 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.15 | $3,069 | $36,824 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.10 | $2,046 | $24,549 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Richmond) | $29.51 |
| 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 Richmond, KY earn a median of $61,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.99% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $62,306.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.51/hr = $36,824/year (purchasing power: $41,236).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,373/year (purchasing power: $68,727).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Richmond grew 7.2% from $27.26/hr (2019) to $29.22/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.80/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
For part-time elementary school teachers working 24 hours per week, the annual income can be significantly different compared to full-time positions. These educators must consider that while substitute teachers command daily rates between $100 and $250 across public districts, sustained engagement through per-diem arrangements often leads to variable earnings. Opportunities for tutoring through platforms like Wyzant and Outschool can provide direct pay ranging from $30 to $80 per hour, offering a lucrative side income particularly in a market where educational needs are diverse. Additionally, the type of educational institution impacts earnings; public K-12 districts may use a step-and-lane pay structure, while charter and private schools present varying pay scales. Teachers may weigh the benefits of job security and health insurance against higher hourly pay without benefits, requiring clear negotiation strategies based on employer type in Richmond.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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