Elementary School Teacher Salary in Murray, KY: $58,297 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Murray, KY earns a median $58,297/year (≈ $28.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Murray's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $65,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Murray, Kentucky, is projected at $58,297. This figure falls below the national median of $64,597, highlighting the local context in which educators operate. The salary range varies significantly, from $48,708 at the 10th percentile to $90,297 at the 90th percentile. The state-level figures are shaped by local cost adjustments and available data. In Murray, the job market reflects a small workforce, with only four elementary school teachers currently employed, underscoring the unique challenges and opportunities within this educational setting, especially for those entering special education, STEM, or bilingual roles which often come with shortage stipends that increase base pay.
About the Murray Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,708 | $23.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,402 | $26.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,297 | $28.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,782 | $34.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,297 | $43.41 |
Median Salary Position
9.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murray
In Murray, KY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,589 (2026 est.). At $58,297, the local median is 9.75% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murray: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Murray Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Murray median: $58,297/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murray Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,349 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -9.75% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Murray, KY earn a median of $58,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 6.50% below the Kentucky state average of $62,349.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murray 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.
Murray, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $58,297 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,850
2025 BLS Actual
$57,731
2026 Current Est.
$58,297
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Murray (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,997 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,469 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,443 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,731 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,297 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murray metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $53,850 (2019) to $57,731 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,018 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murray 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) | $48,708 – $55,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,402 – $58,297 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,297 – $72,782 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,782 – $90,297 |
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 Murray
Analyzing the local job market reveals a cost-of-living index of 89.3, indicating that residents enjoy a lower cost structure compared to the national average, thus influencing take-home purchasing power. While job prospects remain concentrated, the highest compensation packages in Murray tend to come from public K-12 school districts, with pay primarily determined by the step-and-lane scale tied to years of experience and educational attainment. The variation in salaries is driven by multiple factors, including stipends for high-demand subjects, summer and after-school contracts, and advanced certification bonuses. Thus, educators aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing National Board Certification or engaging in additional professional development. Creating connections with local districts that actively engage in teacher recruitment, particularly amid prevailing shortages in key areas, can further enhance one's earning potential.
More salary data for Murray, 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 $57,731 for elementary school teachersin the Murray 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 Murray 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