Elementary School Teacher Salary in Louisville, KY: $67,954 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Louisville, KY earns a median $67,954/year (≈ $32.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $76,096 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the elementary school teacher salary in Louisville, KY is projected to reach a median of $67,954, slightly above the national median of $64,597. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level teachers earning around $47,084 and the highest earners seeing figures up to $105,329. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, with adjustments for regional cost of living considerations. Notably, Louisville's educational landscape reflects a growing demand for skilled educators in shortage areas such as special education and STEM, where stipends can enhance base pay, adding essential financial incentives for teachers in these fields.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,084 | $22.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,277 | $28.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,954 | $32.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,982 | $41.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,329 | $50.64 |
Median Salary Position
5.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,245 (2026 est.). At $67,954, the local median is 5.2% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Louisville median: $67,954/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,344 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +5.20% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville 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.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $67,954 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,096 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,771
2025 BLS Actual
$67,295
2026 Current Est.
$67,954
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,771 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,108 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,896 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,468 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,295 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,954 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $62,771 (2019) to $67,295 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,849 (9.32%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,084 – $58,277 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,277 – $67,954 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,954 – $86,982 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,982 – $105,329 |
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 Louisville
Louisville's job market currently employs 132 elementary school teachers, illustrating a stable demand for educators in the community. Given the cost-of-living index of 89.3, which is below the national average, teachers in this region may find their take-home salaries stretch a bit further than in higher-cost areas. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most attractive compensation packages, though charter schools and independent institutions may provide opportunities with unique benefits. The differences in salary often stem from a range of factors, including the district's step-and-lane pay scale based on years of service and educational attainment as well as potential stipends for those teaching in critical shortage fields. To maximize earnings, educators in Louisville should consider pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification, actively seek summer assignments, and be open to tutoring or after-school programs that can supplement their income.
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
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 $67,295 for elementary school teachersin the Louisville 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 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