Dentists, General salary in Kentucky
Dentists, General in Kentucky earn a median of $134,160 a year ($64.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $344,040 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $170,950. Kentucky ranks 44th of 47 states for dentists, general pay. There are 0.39 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $157,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dentists, general in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| 25th percentile | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Median | $134,160 | $64.50 |
| 75th percentile | $165,180 | $79.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $344,040 | $165.41 |
| Average (mean) | $157,630 | $75.78 |
Half of dentists, general 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 | $11,180 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,590 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,160 |
| Weekly | $2,580 |
| Hourly | $64.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $206,100 | 380 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $168,210 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $163,980 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $151,420 | 230 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $114,990 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for dentists, general
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 |
| Oregon | $211,690 |
| Maine | $209,200 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 |
| Georgia | $206,760 |
| Missouri | $204,960 |
| Vermont | $204,960 |
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 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| 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 |
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 29-1021. 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 dentists, general make in Kentucky?
The median salary for dentists, general in Kentucky is $134,160 a year, or $64.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $344,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of dentists, general in Kentucky earn at least $344,040 a year. The top 25% earn $165,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,820 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $103,720 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Kentucky?
About 790 dentists, general are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.