Elementary School Teacher Salary in Paducah, KY: $62,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Paducah, KY earns a median $62,638/year (≈ $30.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $72,764 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual elementary school teacher salary in Paducah, Kentucky, is projected to be $62,638, which reflects a modest reduction compared to the national median of $64,597. The salary range for teachers here spans from $46,148 at the 10th percentile to $71,857 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the diverse compensation offers within the district. These estimates, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, highlight the importance of education and experience in determining pay. Specifically, in Paducah, teachers with a master’s degree or a master’s plus 30 credits typically secure higher positioning on the district’s step-and-lane pay scale, indicating a structured approach to pay that rewards advanced qualifications and years of service, relevant for those entering the education field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,148 | $22.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,638 | $30.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,857 | $34.55 |
Median Salary Position
3.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,709 (2026 est.). At $62,638, the local median is 3.03% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be above the median
How Paducah Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Paducah median: $62,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $62,326 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -3.03% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Paducah, KY earn a median of $62,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.03% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.50% above the Kentucky state average of $62,326.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $62,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,764 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,860
2025 BLS Actual
$62,030
2026 Current Est.
$62,638
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,092 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,538 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,749 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $57,860 (2019) to $62,030 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,392 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $46,148 – $47,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,400 – $62,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,638 – $63,910 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,910 – $71,857 |
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 Paducah
With approximately 360 elementary school teachers employed in the area, Paducah's job market remains stable, presenting various employment opportunities. The cost-of-living index stands at 86.084, meaning that while salaries are slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power can still be favorable for teachers living in Paducah. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts provide most of the teaching positions, but private schools and specialty programs may offer competitive pay for specific roles, especially in high-demand fields like special education and STEM, often supplemented by stipends ranging from 5-15%. Teachers aiming to maximize elementary school teacher pay in Paducah KY should consider acquiring additional endorsements, such as National Board Certification, taking on summer or after-school roles, or exploring positions in less saturated subject areas to boost their overall earnings potential in 2026 and beyond.
More salary data for Paducah, 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 $62,030 for elementary school teachersin the Paducah 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, 2-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