Kentucky's mean dental hygienist salary of $78,950 falls below all neighboring comparison states except West Virginia, which averages $71,290. Virginia leads the region at $105,120, followed by Ohio at $89,900 and Indiana at $89,660. If you are competing for candidates who have offers from Ohio or Virginia employers, expect to address that gap directly in your compensation package.
Dental hygienist salary in Kentucky (2026)
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The average dental hygienist salary in Kentucky is $78,950 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $78,830 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Kentucky employs 2,070 dental hygienists, and the $120 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dental hygienists in Kentucky typically earn around $61,280, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $98,770 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire in Kentucky, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $78,830 |
Average Annual Salary | $78,950 |
vs. National Average | 20.2% below the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 2,070 employed dental hygienists across Kentucky.
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Dental hygienist salary percentiles in Kentucky
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $61,280 |
25th Percentile | $67,880 |
75th Percentile | $91,800 |
90th Percentile | $98,770 |
Employers hiring entry-level dental hygienists in Kentucky can anchor offers near $61,280, while candidates with specialized experience typically command salaries approaching or exceeding $98,770. The roughly $37,000 spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles means that role scope and experience level should drive your offer more than a single statewide figure.
Dental hygienist salary by city in Kentucky
City | Average Annual Salary |
Louisville | $83,640 |
Lexington | $80,810 |
Bowling Green | $77,090 |
Owensboro | $74,050 |
Elizabethtown | $66,650 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to budget for a dental hygienist hire in Kentucky. Louisville averages $83,640 per year compared to $66,650 in Elizabethtown, a difference of roughly $17,000 that reflects market demand and cost-of-living variation across the state. Employers in smaller markets may find more budget flexibility, but should still benchmark against the nearest metro to stay competitive.
How Kentucky compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Virginia | $105,120 | $102,950 |
Ohio | $89,900 | $88,990 |
Indiana | $89,660 | $92,330 |
Tennessee | $87,420 | $84,640 |
Kentucky | $78,950 | $78,830 |
West Virginia | $71,290 | $73,840 |
Kentucky is a cost-effective market for dental hygienist hiring relative to most of its neighbors, which gives employers here a real budgetary advantage when competing for talent. The Kentucky mean of $78,950 sits below Ohio ($89,900), Indiana ($89,660), Tennessee ($87,420), and Virginia ($105,120), though it exceeds West Virginia ($71,290). Employers recruiting across state lines should account for these differences when setting offers for candidates who may be weighing options in adjacent markets.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in Kentucky
How does Kentucky compare to other states for dental hygienist salary?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in Kentucky?
The 90th percentile for dental hygienists in Kentucky is $98,770, which represents the threshold that senior specialists in the state typically reach or exceed. Candidates with advanced specializations or significant experience will likely expect offers in this range. Budget accordingly if the role you are filling requires deep clinical expertise or supervisory responsibilities.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in Kentucky?
The published salary range for dental hygienists in Kentucky runs from $61,280 at the 10th percentile to $98,770 at the 90th percentile. The 25th percentile sits at $67,880 and the 75th percentile at $91,800, giving you four anchor points to calibrate offers by experience level. Use the percentile closest to your candidate's experience and scope of practice as your starting benchmark.
What is the average dental hygienist salary in Kentucky?
The average dental hygienist salary in Kentucky is $78,950 per year, with a median of $78,830. The close alignment between the mean and median indicates that the salary distribution in Kentucky is relatively balanced, without extreme outliers pulling the average far from the midpoint. For most hiring decisions, either figure works as a reliable benchmark, though the median is slightly more conservative.
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1292 (Dental Hygienists).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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