Elementary School Teacher Salary in Lexington, KY: $62,062 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Lexington, KY earns a median $62,062/year (≈ $29.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $66,813 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the anticipated median annual elementary school teacher salary in Lexington, KY, is projected at $62,062, which is approximately 3.92% lower than the national median of $64,597. The salary range for this occupation in the area falls between $47,602 at the 10th percentile and $83,632 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the wide variation in pay based on experience and qualifications. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that teachers with a master's degree or additional education beyond the master's level may find themselves at the higher end of the pay scale. Given the structured step-and-lane pay model commonly used in public school systems, teachers can anticipate salary increases based on years of experience and educational attainment, which remains a significant factor in determining overall compensation within Lexington's competitive job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,602 | $22.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,924 | $24.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,062 | $29.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,352 | $35.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,632 | $40.21 |
Median Salary Position
3.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,030 (2026 est.). At $62,062, the local median is 3.92% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Lexington median: $62,062/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,312 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -3.92% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $62,062 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,813 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,970
2025 BLS Actual
$61,460
2026 Current Est.
$62,062
2019–2027 Growth
+10.0%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,062 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,671 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.9% from $56,970 (2019) to $61,460 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,701 (10.01%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,602 – $51,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,924 – $62,062 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,062 – $73,352 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,352 – $83,632 |
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 Lexington
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Lexington is robust, with 2,420 educators currently employed in the area. However, the cost-of-living index sits below the national average at 92.889, which can significantly impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most lucrative salaries, especially for teachers in shortage areas such as special education and STEM, who may receive stipends ranging from 5% to 15% in addition to their base salary. Other opportunities to boost earnings include contracts for summer school, coaching stipends, and advanced certifications like the National Board Certification, which further enhance a teacher's market value. For those looking to maximize their pay in the Lexington market, it's essential to actively pursue opportunities for professional development, collaborate within educational networks, and engage with local organizations such as the NEA or AFT, which can provide additional resources and advocacy for better compensation.
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
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 $61,460 for elementary school teachersin the Lexington 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
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