Secondary School Teachers in Kentucky. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Kentucky's median Secondary School Teacher wage was $60,420 in 2024, about 16% below the national median of $72,150. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
Kentucky's cost of living runs roughly 9% below the US average. After accounting for what the money actually buys, the in-state median lands closer to $66,700 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the headline gap by more than half.
The spread from bottom to top is moderate compared to many other occupations. The 10th percentile earned $43,650 and the 90th earned $79,950, a ratio of about 1.8 to 1. That reflects how teacher pay typically works: salary schedules tied to years of service and degree level compress the range relative to occupations where individual negotiation or private-sector demand sets wages.
BLS projects employment for Secondary School Teachers to decline slightly, about 1.6%, between 2024 and 2034. That falls into the decline category in BLS terms, though the magnitude is small. The 12,760 teachers currently employed in Kentucky still represent a large workforce, and retirements generate openings even when overall headcount holds steady or dips.
Salary distribution
Where Kentucky secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $49,990 and $75,290, with a median of $61,560.
Secondary School Teachers in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 13 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $50,586. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 10 | $45,880 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $56,680 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson County Board of Education | Mathematics Teacher | 5 | $47,270 |
| Ashland Independent School District | High School Spanish Teacher | 2 | $43,850 |
| Fayette County Public Schools | High School Chinese Language Classroom Teacher | 2 | $57,099 |
| Louisville Collegiate School | Middle & Upper School French Language Teacher | 1 | $56,680 |
| PINEVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | TEACHER | 1 | $55,012 |
| Union County Public Schools | High School Chemistry / Science Teacher | 1 | $43,590 |
| Woodford County Public Schools | Teacher | 1 | $91,436,800 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- High School Chemistry / Science Teacher at Union County Public Schools$43,590MorganfieldWage Level IDecided Nov 26, 2025I-200-25323-421461
- Science Classroom Teacher at Nelson County Board of Education$47,270BardstownWage Level IDecided Nov 6, 2025I-200-25272-342790
- Middle & Upper School French Language Teacher at Louisville Collegiate School$56,680LouisvilleWage Level IIDecided Sep 24, 2025I-200-25260-315416
- Teacher at Woodford County Public Schools$91,436,800VersaillesWage Level IDecided Aug 4, 2025I-200-25209-203730
- Science Teacher at Nelson County Board of Education$51,120BardstownWage Level IDecided Jul 11, 2025I-200-25184-152791
- High School ESL Classroom Teacher at Fayette County Public Schools$50,586LexingtonWage Level IDecided Jun 20, 2025I-200-25163-085366
- High School Chinese Language Classroom Teacher at Fayette County Public Schools$63,612LexingtonWage Level IDecided Apr 21, 2025I-200-25104-862818
- TEACHER at PINEVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT$55,012PINEVILLEWage Level IIDecided Feb 13, 2025I-201-25038-673513
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Kentucky
Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$74,040
Compare Secondary School Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in Kentucky is $61,560.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The Kentucky median is -17.5% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $47,130 and the 90th-percentile at $83,310, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.