Dental Hygienist salary in Kentucky
Dental Hygienists in Kentucky earn a median of $78,830 a year ($37.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,770 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $98,100. Kentucky ranks 47th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.0 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $78,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| 25th percentile | $67,880 | $32.64 |
| Median | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| 75th percentile | $91,800 | $44.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,770 | $47.48 |
| Average (mean) | $78,950 | $37.96 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,569.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,284.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,031.92 |
| Weekly | $1,515.96 |
| Hourly | $37.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,940 | 1,700 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $81,390 | 780 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $81,260 | 200 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $80,110 | 410 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,610 | 90 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $75,690 | 120 |
| Owensboro, KY | $75,490 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $73,470 | 180 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $64,620 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,730 | $119.58 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | $167.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $241,530 | $116.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Kentucky?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Kentucky is $78,830 a year, or $37.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Kentucky earn at least $98,770 a year. The top 25% earn $91,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,280 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $67,880 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Kentucky?
About 2,070 dental hygienists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.