SOC 25-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — Kentucky
Kentucky · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $60,060 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $65,120.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $60,060 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $65,120. Half of workers earn between $48,630 and $63,240. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,070 and the ninetieth at $75,560.
The area has 3,710 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.10 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Kentucky ranks 37th by median wage. Louisville/Jefferson County leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $62,340. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 310th of 699 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,070 | −29.3% |
| 25th | $48,630 | −25.3% |
| Median (50th) | $60,060 | −7.8% |
| 75th | $63,240 | −2.9% |
| 90th | $75,560 | +16.0% |
| Mean | $58,580 | −10.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $62,340 | 790 | |
| 2 | Bowling Green | $61,500 | 130 | |
| 3 | Lexington | $61,450 | 480 | |
| 4 | Elizabethtown | $60,910 | 110 | |
| 5 | Owensboro | $60,760 | 90 | |
| 6 | Paducah | $49,110 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $60,060 goes as far as $66,585 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,585US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,060 a year, 7.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,070 to $75,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,710 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 37th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $62,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Kentucky?
The median annual wage is $60,060, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $65,120, so pay in Kentucky is 7.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kentucky earns more than $75,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,070 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Louisville/Jefferson County, at $62,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,710 jobs in this occupation in Kentucky. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data