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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Assistant Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$47,730/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$22.95/hr
▼ 1% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
4,530
public U.S. Median
$48,070
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$52,940 #15 of 50

Dental Assistant pay in Kentucky, explained

Dental assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $47,730 per year ($22.95 per hour), which is 1% below the national median of $48,070. Entry-level workers earn around $35,600, while the most experienced dental assistants reach about $62,050. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $47,730 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $47,730 is worth about $52,940 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #15 for real pay (vs #27 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Assistant pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$35,600
$17.12/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$47,730
$22.95/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$62,050
$29.83/hr

Dental Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $47,730 $52,940 —
Indiana $48,670 $52,149 −$940
Illinois $48,610 $48,630 −$880
Ohio $47,970 $51,706 −$240
Tennessee $46,720 $50,854 +$1,010
Virginia $46,670 $46,160 +$1,060
Missouri $45,970 $50,618 +$1,760
West Virginia $37,960 $42,415 +$9,770

Dental Assistant in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in Kentucky?

Dental assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $47,730 per year ($22.95 per hour), compared with $48,070 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay dental assistants well?

At $47,730, Kentucky pays 1% below the national median for dental assistants. An estimated 4,530 work in the state.

Dental Assistant salary in other states

Minnesota · $65,270 District of Columbia · $60,580 Maine · $60,070 New Hampshire · $59,530 Oregon · $59,490 Washington · $58,090 Massachusetts · $57,980 North Dakota · $57,770 Alaska · $57,710 Connecticut · $56,850 Vermont · $52,760 North Carolina · $50,380

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Kentucky

Dental Hygienist $78,830/yr median Medical Assistant $39,270/yr median Dentist $134,160/yr median