Dental Assistant salary in Kentucky
Dental Assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $47,730 a year ($22.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,050 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $48,070. Kentucky ranks 27th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| 25th percentile | $42,400 | $20.38 |
| Median | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 75th percentile | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Average (mean) | $48,440 | $23.29 |
Half of dental assistants 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 | $3,977.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,988.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,835.77 |
| Weekly | $917.88 |
| Hourly | $22.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $48,690 | 750 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $46,750 | 190 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $46,410 | 140 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,050 | 320 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $45,970 | 220 |
| Owensboro, KY | $45,330 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $42,660 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Phlebotomist | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Orderly | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $38,610 | $18.56 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. 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 assistant make in Kentucky?
The median salary for dental assistants in Kentucky is $47,730 a year, or $22.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Kentucky earn at least $62,050 a year. The top 25% earn $56,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,600 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $42,400 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Kentucky?
About 4,530 dental assistants are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.