Elementary School Teacher salary in Kentucky
Elementary school teachers in Kentucky earn a median $60,610 a year, 5% below the national median of $63,970. That ranks #35 of 51 states. After taxes, a single filer keeps about $48,876.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 25-2021. Taxes for tax year 2026.
| Yearly | Monthly | Every 2 weeks | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $60,610 | $5,051 | $2,331 | $29.14 |
| Average pay | $59,870 | $4,989 | $2,303 | $28.78 |
| Take-home (median) | $48,876 | $4,073 | $1,880 | $23.50 |
Where the money goes
| Item | Per year |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $5,093 |
| Social Security and Medicare | $4,637 |
| Kentucky income tax | $2,004 |
| Take-home | $48,876 |
Kentucky's prices are 10% below the U.S. average, so the median take-home buys what $54,211 buys in an average-priced state. The Kentucky minimum wage is $7.25; the median elementary school teacher earns 4.0 times that.
Elementary School Teacher pay in Kentucky vs. neighboring states
| State | Median salary | Take-home | Buying power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $60,610 | $48,876 | $54,211 |
| Illinois | $75,320 | $58,234 | $58,259 |
| Indiana | $59,700 | $48,417 | $51,878 |
| Missouri | $50,910 | $41,631 | $45,840 |
| Ohio | $77,370 | $61,914 | $66,737 |
| Tennessee | $59,980 | $50,374 | $54,832 |
| Virginia | $65,550 | $51,894 | $51,328 |
| West Virginia | $55,630 | $45,197 | $50,501 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much do elementary school teachers make in Kentucky?
- The median salary is $60,610 a year ($29.14 an hour), and the average is $59,870, per BLS data for May 2025.
- How much do elementary school teachers take home in Kentucky?
- About $48,876 a year after federal and Kentucky taxes, or $1,880 every two weeks, for a single filer at the median salary.
- Do elementary school teachers earn more in Kentucky than the national average?
- Kentucky ranks #35 of 51 for median pay, 5% below the U.S. median of $63,970. Adjusted for prices and taxes it ranks #29.