How Much Does a Dental Assistant Make in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area, KY in 2026?
Typical pay for Dental Assistants in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Kentucky.
BLS OES May 2024 · South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
A typical Dental Assistant in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area, Kentucky earns $18.73 per hour, or $38,960 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,247 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $28,780, and the top 10% of earners make over $46,570.
That pay is 18% below the Kentucky figure of $47,730 and 19% below the national figure of $48,070. About 380 Dental Assistants work in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area.
Dental Assistant pay in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area at a glance
- Typical pay is $18.73 an hour, or $38,960 a year.
- That is 18% below the Kentucky figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $28,780; the top 10% make over $46,570.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does a Dental Assistant make in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area?
Pay in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area runs from entry-level positions at around $13.84 an hour to more than $22.39 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Kentucky and national figures.
Dental Assistant pay by career stage in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
| Career stage | South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | Kentucky | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $28,780$13.84 an hour | $35,600$17.11 an hour | $37,130$17.85 an hour |
| First years | $35,510$17.07 an hour | $42,400$20.38 an hour | $44,340$21.32 an hour |
| Typical Dental Assistant | $38,960$18.73 an hour | $47,730$22.95 an hour | $48,070$23.11 an hour |
| Experienced | $43,610$20.97 an hour | $56,760$27.29 an hour | $58,090$27.93 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,570$22.39 an hour | $62,050$29.83 an hour | $62,250$29.93 an hour |
BLS OES May 2024 (the latest vintage BLS published for this area; state and national columns are May 2025) · city figures cover South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area as BLS defines it
How South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area compares with other Kentucky cities
Louisville pays Dental Assistants the most in Kentucky at $49,100 a year, $10,140 more than South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area. The lowest-paying area in the state is Ashland at $42,660.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | Dental Assistants employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville metro incl. Jefferson County | $49,100 | $23.61 | +26% | 1,500 |
| 2 | Lexington metro incl. Fayette | $48,690 | $23.41 | +25% | 750 |
| 3 | Paducah | $46,750 | $22.48 | +20% | 190 |
| 4 | Elizabethtown | $46,410 | $22.31 | +19% | 140 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $45,970 | $22.10 | +18% | 220 |
| 6 | Owensboro | $45,330 | $21.79 | +16% | 160 |
| 7 | Ashland | $42,660 | $20.51 | +9% | 240 |
Every metro area in Kentucky with Dental Assistant wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Kentucky typical pay $47,730
Is South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area a good place to work as a Dental Assistant?
Dental Assistants in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $38,960 a year, 19% below the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Dental Assistant make in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area, KY?
- A typical Dental Assistant in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area earns $38,960 a year, or $18.73 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $28,780 and the top 10% earn over $46,570.
- How much does a Dental Assistant make an hour in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area?
- Typical hourly pay for Dental Assistants in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area is $18.73. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $13.84, and the top 10% earn over $22.39 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Dental Assistant in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area?
- Entry-level Dental Assistant positions in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area typically offer around $13.84 an hour, or $28,780 a year.
- Is Dental Assistant pay in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area higher than in the rest of Kentucky?
- South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area pay is 18% below the Kentucky figure of $47,730 a year. Louisville pays the most in Kentucky at $49,100.