Elementary School Teacher Salary in Covington, KY: $61,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Covington, KY earns a median $61,502/year (≈ $29.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Covington's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $68,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, KY, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $61,502, which falls below the national median of $64,597. Salaries can range significantly, with the lowest earners making about $46,980 while the highest can earn up to $94,837. These figures reflect local estimates based on BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, indicating that Covington's salary landscape is somewhat competitive yet influenced by local economic factors. Additionally, teachers in shortage areas—such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education—often receive stipends that enhance their base compensation, providing further incentives for educators to fill these critical gaps within the community.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,456 | $26.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,502 | $29.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,074 | $36.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,837 | $45.59 |
Median Salary Position
4.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, KY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,857 (2026 est.). At $61,502, the local median is 4.79% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Covington Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Covington median: $61,502/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,312 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -4.79% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Covington, KY earn a median of $61,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.79% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $62,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $61,502 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,871 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,811
2025 BLS Actual
$60,905
2026 Current Est.
$61,502
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,811 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,458 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,734 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,629 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,106 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,905 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $56,811 (2019) to $60,905 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,294 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,980 – $55,456 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,456 – $61,502 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,502 – $76,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,074 – $94,837 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Covington
With only nine elementary school teachers currently employed in Covington, the job market for this profession is relatively modest yet stable. The cost-of-living index for the area sits at 89.3, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. Therefore, teachers may find their purchasing power holds up more robustly against expenses. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive salaries. Compensation variability arises from a range of factors, including experience levels and specialization, as well as available stipends for summer contracts, after-school programs, and advanced degrees. To maximize earnings in Covington, educators might consider pursuing special education certifications or additional endorsements in high-demand subjects, which can yield significant pay increases and improve career prospects within the local educational framework.
More salary data for Covington, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,905 for elementary school teachersin the Covington metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington 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