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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Preschool Teacher Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$29,780/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$14.32/hr
▼ 22% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
8,520
public U.S. Median
$38,140
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$33,031 #49 of 51

Preschool Teacher pay in Kentucky, explained

Preschool teachers in Kentucky earn a median of $29,780 per year ($14.32 per hour), which is 22% below the national median of $38,140. Entry-level workers earn around $23,490, while the most experienced preschool teachers reach about $51,760. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $29,780 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $29,780 is worth about $33,031 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #49 for real pay (vs #50 on the sticker number).

See the full Preschool Teacher Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Preschool Teacher pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$23,490
$11.29/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$29,780
$14.32/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$51,760
$24.88/hr

Preschool Teacher pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $29,780 $33,031 —
Illinois $40,910 $40,927 −$11,130
Virginia $37,140 $36,734 −$7,360
Indiana $36,650 $39,270 −$6,870
Missouri $36,090 $39,739 −$6,310
Ohio $35,180 $37,920 −$5,400
Tennessee $34,280 $37,314 −$4,500
West Virginia $32,480 $36,292 −$2,700

Preschool Teacher in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do preschool teachers make in Kentucky?

Preschool teachers in Kentucky earn a median of $29,780 per year ($14.32 per hour), compared with $38,140 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay preschool teachers well?

At $29,780, Kentucky pays 22% below the national median for preschool teachers. An estimated 8,520 work in the state.

Preschool Teacher salary in other states

District of Columbia · $62,150 Vermont · $49,730 Hawaii · $48,780 New Jersey · $48,220 Kansas · $47,750 California · $47,400 Nebraska · $47,040 New York · $46,520 Alaska · $46,130 Massachusetts · $45,890 Connecticut · $45,740 Washington · $45,660

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Kentucky

Elementary School Teacher $60,610/yr median School Counselor $64,350/yr median Social Worker $59,100/yr median