Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Kentucky
The median dentist earns $134,160 a year in Kentucky ($64.50 an hour), with the middle half earning between $103,720 and $165,180.[1]
25th percentile
$103,720
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$134,160
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$165,180
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $134,160 per year or $64.50/hr at the median. Kentucky runs about 22% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Kentucky
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dentists in Kentucky earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Kentucky hourly | Kentucky annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21.55 | $44,820 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $49.87 | $103,720 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $64.50 | $134,160 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $79.41 | $165,180 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $165.41 | $344,040 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $75.78 | $157,630 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Kentucky
790
0.39
0.49
How Kentucky compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $134,160 in Kentucky vs. $170,950 nationally, $36,790 (22%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $44,820 vs. $86,250, 48% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $344,040 vs. $319,630, 8% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 9.6% in Kentucky vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Kentucky
All 5 Kentucky metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $206,100 | $135,380–$277,640 | 380 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $168,210 | $104,080–$221,520 | 70 |
| Clarksville | $163,980 | $102,780–$244,420 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $151,420 | $107,870–$215,760 | 230 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $114,990 | $85,020–$155,580 | 160 |
Job outlook for dentists in Kentucky
Kentucky's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 9.6% over 2024–2034, from 1,040 to 1,140 jobs, with about 40 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dentist pay in Kentucky
Pay for a dentist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dentist roles in Kentucky, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Kentucky: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Kentucky?
The median annual wage for dentists in Kentucky was $134,160 ($64.50 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $103,720 and $165,180. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $44,820 and the top 10% earned over $344,040. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Kentucky earn more than the national median?
No. The Kentucky median of $134,160 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $36,790 (22%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Kentucky metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 5 Kentucky metro areas with published BLS data, Cincinnati has the highest median at $206,100 a year. Lexington-Fayette has the lowest, at $114,990.
How many dentists work in Kentucky?
BLS estimates 790 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Kentucky in May 2025. That is 0.39 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.49, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Kentucky?
Kentucky's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 9.6% over 2024–2034, from 1,040 to 1,140 jobs. That works out to about 40 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Kentucky?
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Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Kentucky long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)