Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Kentucky
The median dental hygienist earns $78,830 a year in Kentucky ($37.90 an hour), with the middle half earning between $67,880 and $91,800.[1]
25th percentile
$67,880
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$78,830
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$91,800
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $78,830 per year or $37.90/hr at the median. Kentucky runs about 20% 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 dental hygienists 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 | $29.46 | $61,280 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $32.64 | $67,880 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $37.90 | $78,830 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $44.14 | $91,800 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $47.48 | $98,770 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $37.96 | $78,950 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Kentucky
2,070
1.04
0.72
How Kentucky compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $78,830 in Kentucky vs. $98,100 nationally, $19,270 (20%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $61,280 vs. $74,880, 18% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $98,770 vs. $126,050, 22% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 11.6% in Kentucky vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Kentucky
All 9 Kentucky metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $102,940 | $94,280–$103,820 | 1,700 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $81,390 | $77,040–$97,160 | 780 |
| Clarksville | $81,260 | $74,710–$88,400 | 200 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $80,110 | $78,640–$91,330 | 410 |
| Paducah | $79,610 | $75,420–$92,150 | 90 |
| Bowling Green | $75,690 | $65,220–$92,410 | 120 |
| Owensboro | $75,490 | $65,060–$78,520 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $73,470 | $62,470–$76,820 | 180 |
| Elizabethtown | $64,620 | $56,680–$76,810 | 70 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Kentucky
Kentucky's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 11.6% over 2024–2034, from 2,170 to 2,420 jobs, with about 160 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 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 dental hygienist pay in Kentucky
Pay for a dental hygienist 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
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Browse open dental hygienist roles in Kentucky, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Kentucky: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Kentucky?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Kentucky was $78,830 ($37.90 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $67,880 and $91,800. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $61,280 and the top 10% earned over $98,770.
Do dental hygienists in Kentucky earn more than the national median?
No. The Kentucky median of $78,830 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $19,270 (20%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Kentucky metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 9 Kentucky metro areas with published BLS data, Cincinnati has the highest median at $102,940 a year. Elizabethtown has the lowest, at $64,620.
How many dental hygienists work in Kentucky?
BLS estimates 2,070 dental hygienists were employed in Kentucky in May 2025. That is 1.04 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.72, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Kentucky?
Kentucky's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 11.6% over 2024–2034, from 2,170 to 2,420 jobs. That works out to about 160 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
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Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), 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: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists