Dental hygienist salary in Kentucky
Dental hygienists in Kentucky earn a median $37.90 an hour, or $78,830 a year, 19.6% below the national median of $47.16. Kentucky ranks 47 of 50 on median hourly pay. About 2,070 hygienists work in the state.
$37.90
median hourly wage
$78,830
median annual wage
2,070
dental hygienists employed
1.7x
the median for all jobs here
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Kentucky pay range
| Measure | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29.46 | $61,280 |
| 25th percentile | $32.64 | $67,880 |
| Median | $37.90 | $78,830 |
| 75th percentile | $44.14 | $91,800 |
| 90th percentile | $47.48 | $98,770 |
| Mean (average) | $37.96 | $78,950 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Against the national figures
| Kentucky | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median hourly | $37.90 | $47.16 |
| Median annual | $78,830 | $98,100 |
| 90th percentile hourly | $47.48 | $60.60 |
| Median, all occupations (annual) | $46,920 | $50,980 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Pay by metro and nonmetro area
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 25th to 75th percentile (hourly) | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49.49 | $102,940 | $45.33 to $49.91 | 1,700 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $39.13 | $81,390 | $37.04 to $46.71 | 780 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $39.07 | $81,260 | $35.92 to $42.50 | 200 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $38.51 | $80,110 | $37.81 to $43.91 | 410 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $38.28 | $79,610 | $36.26 to $44.30 | 90 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $36.39 | $75,690 | $31.36 to $44.43 | 120 |
| Owensboro, KY | $36.29 | $75,490 | $31.28 to $37.75 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $35.32 | $73,470 | $30.04 to $36.93 | 180 |
| Central Kentucky (nonmetro) | $35.21 | $73,240 | $30.94 to $36.00 | 120 |
| West Kentucky (nonmetro) | $34.54 | $71,840 | $29.98 to $36.03 | 100 |
| South Central Kentucky (nonmetro) | $31.10 | $64,700 | $31.05 to $33.54 | 160 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $31.07 | $64,620 | $27.25 to $36.93 | 70 |
| East Kentucky (nonmetro) | $30.83 | $64,120 | $29.97 to $34.70 | 70 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Metro figures cover the whole metro area, including any part in a neighboring state.
How common the job is
Kentucky has 1.04 dental hygienist jobs per 1,000 jobs, a location quotient of 0.72 (1.00 is the national share; below 1 means hygienists make up a smaller share of jobs here than nationally).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Hiring a dental hygienist in Kentucky?
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