Dental Assistant salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Dental Assistants in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $48,690 a year ($23.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $47,730. There are 2.6 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,400 | $14.61 |
| 25th percentile | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Median | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| 75th percentile | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,200 | $29.90 |
| Average (mean) | $50,580 | $24.32 |
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 | $4,057.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,028.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,872.69 |
| Weekly | $936.35 |
| Hourly | $23.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,690 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| 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 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,630 | $20.98 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Massage Therapist | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $42,900 | $20.62 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,880 | $16.29 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,380 | $18.93 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,490 | $17.06 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $48,690 a year, or $23.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $62,200 a year. The top 25% earn $58,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,400 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,760 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 750 dental assistants are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.