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Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors Salary in Kentucky: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors salary really buy you in Kentucky?

Kentucky is 10.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$44,990
Median annual (2025)
+11.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$50,324
COL-adjusted (RPP=89.4)

Kentucky Cost of Living Index

Kentucky's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 89.4, meaning prices are 10.6% lower the national average. A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors earning $44,990 in Kentucky has the equivalent purchasing power of $50,324 in an average-cost US state.

KY: 89.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $38,790 $43,389 +$4,599
25th Percentile (P25) $40,450 $45,246 +$4,796
Median (P50) $44,990 $50,324 +$5,334
75th Percentile (P75) $50,200 $56,152 +$5,952
90th Percentile (P90) $61,360 $68,635 +$7,275
Key Insight

A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in Kentucky earns $44,990 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 12% further — like earning $50,324 in an average-cost state. This makes Kentucky one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Kentucky Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 89.4

Kentucky's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 89.4 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.6% less than the national average. For a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+11.9%

Adjusting $44,990 for Kentucky's cost of living yields $50,324 — a 11.9% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#45 / 50

Kentucky ranks #45 of 50 — bottom quartile for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$90,693
RPP 112.5
$80,204
RPP 98.0
$78,607
RPP 97.7
$74,540
RPP 108.8
$73,807
RPP 90.6
$72,926
RPP 89.2
$72,500
RPP 107.6
$71,950
RPP 88.7
$70,400
RPP 92.3
$67,838
RPP 106.4

Kentucky ranks #45 out of 50 states for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors take-home pay in Kentucky after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in Kentucky after cost of living?

A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in Kentucky earns a median salary of $44,990 per year. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (RPP=89.4), the real purchasing power is $50,324 — a +11.9% difference.

Is Kentucky expensive to live in?

Kentucky's cost of living is 10.6% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Kentucky is 89.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in Kentucky: $44,990 x (100 / 89.4) = $50,324. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in Kentucky financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors in Kentucky enjoys 11.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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