How Much do Dental Assistants Earn in Kentucky?
This northernmost southern state is famous for horses, bluegrass and southern-style cooking. Residents here are also increasingly concerned about health and wellness, and the healthcare industry is growing in response. This is a great place to start a career as a dental assistant.
Employment statistics indicate that jobs for qualified dental assistants in Kentucky are growing at a promising rate of over 12 percent. Those looking for a position can expect to see nearly 600 openings per year for the next several years.
This demand is being driven by several factors, including an aging population that will require more dental care and an emphasis on preventive dental care.
As the state’s population continues to grow, so does the demand for dental assistants. Dental assisting is a field that offers good job security and advancement opportunities. Many dental assistants work in private practices, but there are also positions available in public health clinics, hospitals, and dental schools.
In Kentucky, the average yearly salary for a dental assistant is $36,870, much less than the national average. However, there are opportunities to earn more. Those earning in the top percent have salaries of $50,000 and higher annually.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Kentucky | 2016 | 4,460 | 2026 | 5,010 | 550 | 12.3% | 570 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Kentucky | 4,500 | $17.73 | $36,870 | $24,380 | $29,620 | $36,400 | $43,860 | $50,980 |
The metro area that includes Cincinnati has the highest number of dental assistants, followed by Louisville and Jefferson County. Lexington is also important. The highest salaries for dental assistants are also around Cincinnati, while the lowest earnings are found in the Bowling Green metropolitan area.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 190 | $16.29 | $33,880 | $24,270 | $28,300 | $34,080 | $38,870 | $43,010 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 2510 | $20.33 | $42,280 | $28,890 | $32,870 | $39,900 | $49,460 | $60,510 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 270 | $19.08 | $39,690 | $29,830 | $33,060 | $37,420 | $46,410 | $55,260 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | 90 | $16.35 | $34,000 | $26,970 | $29,220 | $33,640 | $38,600 | $42,640 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 280 | $19.04 | $39,600 | $32,980 | $34,940 | $38,130 | $43,910 | $50,310 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 280 | $15.92 | $33,110 | $22,140 | $26,430 | $32,530 | $38,800 | $47,120 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 720 | $18.83 | $39,170 | $26,680 | $31,780 | $40,560 | $46,660 | $50,770 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 1460 | $19.28 | $40,090 | $27,620 | $33,530 | $39,020 | $47,840 | $57,160 |
| Owensboro, KY | 120 | $16.37 | $34,050 | $22,960 | $28,430 | $34,910 | $38,470 | $41,200 |
Among healthcare assistant jobs in Kentucky, physical therapist assistants earn the most. They can make as much as $17,000 more per year than dental assistants. Dental assistants out-earn medical and nursing assistants as well as pharmacy technicians.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 8840 | $14.44 | $30,040 | $21,050 | $24,750 | $29,370 | $35,340 | $39,900 |
| Nursing Assistants | 22280 | $13.12 | $27,280 | $20,850 | $23,190 | $26,930 | $30,690 | $35,430 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 1570 | $25.52 | $53,080 | $31,570 | $44,220 | $54,960 | $63,030 | $72,390 |
| Dental Assistants | 4500 | $17.73 | $36,870 | $24,380 | $29,620 | $36,400 | $43,860 | $50,980 |
| Medical Assistants | 9940 | $15.66 | $32,570 | $23,200 | $27,240 | $32,090 | $37,570 | $42,490 |