Dental Assistant salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Dental Assistants in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $46,750 a year ($22.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,260 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $47,730. There are 3.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| 25th percentile | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Median | $46,750 | $22.48 |
| 75th percentile | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Average (mean) | $47,700 | $22.94 |
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 | $3,895.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,947.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,798.08 |
| Weekly | $899.04 |
| Hourly | $22.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,750 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 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $48,690 | 750 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,120 | 2,990 |
| Decatur, IL | $47,770 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | 380 |
| Peoria, IL | $47,280 | 300 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $47,120 | 180 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $46,410 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IL | $46,390 | 140 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,050 | 320 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $45,970 | 220 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,970 | 530 |
| Kankakee, IL | $45,610 | 60 |
| Springfield, IL | $45,390 | 360 |
| Owensboro, KY | $45,330 | 160 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $44,370 | 150 |
| 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 Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,290 | $16.01 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $58,720 | $28.23 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $46,750 a year, or $22.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $59,260 a year. The top 25% earn $57,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,020 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,200 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 190 dental assistants are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.