Dentist salary in Kentucky (2026)

Author

The Rippling Team

Read time

3 MIN

Published

Aug 13, 2026

In this article

The average annual salary for a dentist in Kentucky is $157,630. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $134,160 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Kentucky employs 790 general dentists across the state, and the $23,470 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dentists in Kentucky typically earn around $44,820, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $344,040 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist 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	$134,160
Average Annual Salary	$157,630
vs. National Average	17.6% below the national mean of $191,350

Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 790 employed dentists across Kentucky.

See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dentist hire.

See Rippling

Dentist salary percentiles in Kentucky

Percentile	Annual Salary
10th Percentile	$44,820
25th Percentile	$103,720
75th Percentile	$165,180
90th Percentile	$344,040

Employers hiring an experienced dentist in Kentucky should expect offers in the $103,720 to $165,180 range for most mid-career candidates, with senior specialists reaching $344,040 at the 90th percentile. The wide spread from the 10th to the 90th percentile signals that practice setting, specialization, and years of experience drive meaningful differences in what candidates will expect.

Dentist salary by city in Kentucky

City	Average Annual Salary
Louisville	$168,180
Lexington	$128,490

Employers hiring in Louisville should budget noticeably more than those hiring in Lexington, since the two markets differ by $39,690 in average annual pay. Louisville's average of $168,180 also sits above the statewide mean of $157,630, while Lexington's $128,490 falls below it, so location should factor directly into your offer range.

How Kentucky compares to other states

State	Average Annual Salary	Median Annual Salary
Kentucky	$157,630	$134,160
Tennessee	$210,700	$215,290
West Virginia	$200,640	$170,370
Virginia	$197,820	$197,110
Indiana	$195,140	$166,650
Ohio	$180,440	$167,410

Kentucky is a cost-effective market for dentist hiring relative to every neighboring state in this comparison, which gives employers here a structural advantage when budgeting compensation. The statewide mean of $157,630 sits below Ohio's $180,440 and well below Tennessee's $210,700, so candidates relocating from those states may arrive with higher salary expectations than the local market typically supports.

Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in Kentucky

How much does a general dentist make in Kentucky?

The average annual salary for a general dentist in Kentucky is $157,630, with a median of $134,160. The median is the more useful figure for most hiring decisions because a smaller group of high earners pulls the average above what most candidates will expect. Budget around the median and adjust upward based on the candidate's experience and practice specialization.

What is the salary range for a dentist in Kentucky?

The salary range for a dentist in Kentucky runs from $44,820 at the 10th percentile to $344,040 at the 90th percentile. Most mid-career candidates will fall between the 25th percentile of $103,720 and the 75th percentile of $165,180. Use that middle band as your primary budgeting range and adjust based on the seniority of the role you are filling.

What do the top-earning dentists make in Kentucky?

Dentists at the 90th percentile in Kentucky earn $344,040 per year. Candidates at this level typically bring specialized skills, established patient panels, or ownership stakes that justify compensation well above the median. When competing for senior talent in this range, expect candidates to negotiate aggressively and factor in non-salary components like profit sharing or ownership opportunities.

How does Kentucky compare to other states for dentist salary?

Kentucky's average dentist salary of $157,630 falls below all five comparison states, with Ohio being the closest at $180,440 and Tennessee the highest at $210,700. This makes Kentucky a relatively lower-cost market for dentist compensation, which can be an advantage for employers managing tight budgets. Candidates with experience in higher-paying states may expect offers above the Kentucky median, so be prepared to address that gap during negotiations.

Dentist salary by state

Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1021 (Dentists, General).

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.