PayByState

Kentucky · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Kentucky

Median $42,140 · Top 10% earn $51,150+ · Roughly 5,279 workers in Kentucky. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Kentucky median
$42,140
$20.26/hr
Top 10%
$51,150
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$29,470
Entry-level range
Real pay
$47,886
CoL-adjusted (RPP 88.0)

Kentucky pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental assistants — $42,140 versus the national median of $47,350. Kentucky's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $536 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 5,279 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Kentucky

Kentucky pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Kentucky ranks #46 of 50 states

Where Kentucky sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Kentucky
#43 Tennessee $43,090 +$950
#42 Idaho $43,090 +$950
#41 Missouri $43,090 +$950
#46 Kentucky (this page) $42,140 —
#47 Louisiana $41,670 −$470
#48 Alabama $40,720 −$1,420
#49 West Virginia $40,720 −$1,420
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Kentucky

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Kentucky median of $42,140, payback periods are typically 1.2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Kentucky selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Kentucky — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Kentucky?
The median dental assistant salary in Kentucky is $42,140 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $29,470; the top 10% earn $51,150 or more. About 5,279 people work in this role across the state.
How does Kentucky dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky's median of $42,140 is $5,210 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 88.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $47,886.
Is dental assistant a good career in Kentucky?
On the data: Kentucky employs roughly 5,279 dental assistants, with a median wage of $42,140 and the top decile clearing $51,150. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Kentucky?
At the Kentucky median of $42,140 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $20.26/hr. The top 10% earn around $24.59/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $14.17/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Kentucky-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Kentucky's RPP is 88.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.