BLS wage data · May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Kentucky
Dental hygienists in Kentucky earn a median of $78,830 a year, or $37.90 an hour (BLS, May 2025). That's 20% less than the national median of $98,100, and ranks 47th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Kentucky dental hygienist pay range
Half of dental hygienists in Kentucky earn between $67,880 and $91,800 a year. The bottom 10% earn less than $61,280, and the top 10% earn more than $98,770. BLS doesn't track starting pay, so the lower percentiles are the best guide to entry-level salary.
- 10th percentile
- $61,280
- Bottom 10% earn less
- 25th percentile
- $67,880
- Bottom 25% earn less
- Median
- $78,830
- Half earn more, half less
- 75th percentile
- $91,800
- Top 25% earn more
- 90th percentile
- $98,770
- Top 10% earn more
- Median annual
- $78,830
- $37.90 an hour
- Average (mean)
- $78,950
- $37.96 an hour
- vs US median
- −20%
- US: $98,100
- Pay rank
- 47th
- of 50 with May 2025 data
How Kentucky compares with nearby states
Six of seven nearby states pay more than Kentucky. Virginia pays the most ($102,950).
| State | Median / year | vs US | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $102,950 | +5% | 12th |
| Illinois | $96,670 | −1% | 25th |
| Missouri | $92,750 | −5% | 30th |
| Indiana | $92,330 | −6% | 32nd |
| Ohio | $88,990 | −9% | 37th |
| Tennessee | $84,640 | −14% | 42nd |
| Kentucky | $78,830 | −20% | 47th |
| West Virginia | $73,840 | −25% | 48th |
Median pay, BLS OEWS. Rank 1 = highest median pay among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. See all states.
Dental hygienist jobs in Kentucky
- Employed
- 2,070
- 31st most of 50 with May 2025 data
- Per 1,000 jobs
- 1.0
- Of all jobs in Kentucky
- Location quotient
- 0.72
- 1.00 = US average
About 1.0 of every 1,000 jobs in Kentucky are dental hygienist jobs.
For the size of its workforce, Kentucky has about 28% fewer dental hygienist jobs than the US average (location quotient 0.72; 1.00 = the national average).
Many dental hygienists work part time, and some work for more than one dentist (BLS). Temping is another way to pick up shifts: see how temp and PRN work pays.
Schools, license, and CE in Kentucky
- Schools
Dental hygiene schools in Kentucky
Kentucky has 6 dental hygiene programs at 5 schools.
Compare programs - License
How to become a dental hygienist in Kentucky
Exams, application steps, and board links for licensure in Kentucky.
See license steps - CE
Kentucky CE requirements
30 hours every 2 years. See required topics and renewal rules.
See CE rules
Kentucky dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Kentucky?
Dental hygienists in Kentucky earn a median of $78,830 a year ($37.90 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025. The average (mean) is $78,950. That's 20% less than the national median of $98,100.
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in Kentucky?
The median hourly wage in Kentucky is $37.90 and the mean is $37.96 (BLS, May 2025). Nationally, the May 2025 median is $47.16 an hour.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists in Kentucky?
BLS doesn't publish starting salaries. The closest guide is the low end of the range: in Kentucky, 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $61,280 a year and 25% earn less than $67,880.
How does Kentucky rank for dental hygienist pay?
By median pay, Kentucky ranks 47th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data (−20% vs the US median). Six of seven nearby states pay more than Kentucky. Virginia pays the most ($102,950). See every state
How many dental hygienists work in Kentucky?
About 2,070 dental hygienists work in Kentucky (BLS, May 2025). That's the 31st most of the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. About 1.0 of every 1,000 jobs in Kentucky are dental hygienist jobs.
How do I become a dental hygienist in Kentucky?
To become a dental hygienist in Kentucky, you graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the NBDHE and the ADEX, CRDTS, or DHLOSCE clinical exam, pass the Kentucky jurisprudence exam, and apply to the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. See the full steps, exams accepted, and board links. Kentucky license steps
Sources and method
- BLS OEWS: Kentucky, May 2025. All occupations for the state; Dental Hygienists is SOC 29-1292
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). National and state estimates, May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists. Licensing and work schedule facts
- Data retrieved September 28, 2026. BLS publishes new wage estimates once a year.
- Annual pay is hourly pay times 2,080 hours. Employment excludes self-employed workers and is rounded by BLS.
- Rank and “vs US” are computed from BLS medians; percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent. Ranks cover the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Jobs in BrushNotes
Find dental hygienist jobs in Kentucky
Search dental hygienist jobs by ZIP code, including temp and PRN listings where available, and track your Kentucky CE for license renewal in the same account.