Elementary School Teacher Salary in Owensboro, KY: $63,627 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Owensboro, KY earns a median $63,627/year (≈ $30.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Owensboro's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $71,806 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Owensboro, KY, can anticipate a median annual salary of $63,627, slightly below the national median of $64,597. The salary range for these professionals spans from $47,824 at the 10th percentile to $74,170 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale depending on experience and specialty. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, doesn’t just capture base salary; it also highlights the potential additional compensation available to teachers specializing in high-demand areas such as special education, STEM subjects, and bilingual education. Stipends for these critical roles can significantly enhance overall earnings, promoting the continuous pursuit of educational excellence in Owensboro's schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,824 | $22.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,824 | $22.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,627 | $30.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,364 | $31.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,170 | $35.66 |
Median Salary Position
1.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owensboro
In Owensboro, KY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,346 (2026 est.). At $63,627, the local median is 1.5% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owensboro: You'd be above the median
How Owensboro Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Owensboro median: $63,627/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,319 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -1.50% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $63,627 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.50% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.10% above the Kentucky state average of $62,319.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owensboro has a cost of living 11.39% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owensboro, KY has a cost-of-living index of 88.61 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $63,627 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,806 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,580
2025 BLS Actual
$63,010
2026 Current Est.
$63,627
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,627 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owensboro metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 19.8% from $52,580 (2019) to $63,010 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,671 (22.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owensboro 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) | $47,824 – $47,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,824 – $63,627 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,627 – $65,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,364 – $74,170 |
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 Owensboro
With 470 elementary school teachers currently employed in the area, the job market for educators remains relatively stable, even as salaries reflect a local cost of living that is below the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 88.61. This lower index can favor teachers in terms of take-home purchasing power, allowing for a more favorable balance between salary and living expenses. Among various employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer competitive pay through a step-and-lane scale, which rewards advancing years of service and higher education levels. To maximize earnings, teachers should consider additional opportunities, such as working in high-need subjects that qualify for stipends, pursuing advanced degrees, or engaging in summer and after-school programs that provide supplementary income. Focusing on strategic choices within the local education market can significantly impact overall compensation for elementary school teacher pay in Owensboro, KY.
More salary data for Owensboro, 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 $63,010 for elementary school teachersin the Owensboro 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