Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)
Compare dental hygienist salaries between Lexington, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $84,067 | $85,411▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $40.41 | $41.06▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,288 | $67,025▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $82,525▲ | $80,846 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,842 | $101,960▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $101,571 | $104,153▲ |
| Total Employed | 410 | 780▲ |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.
The salary gap between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County is $1,344 (1.60%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -17.03% compared to the US national median of $102,946.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington spans $41,283,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $37,128. Lexington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($91,767 effective) pays 1.40% more than Lexington ($90,503 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Lexington if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($85,411/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($104,153)
- ✓Larger job market (780 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,767)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Lexington grew 28.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 26.8% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.
Lexington, KY
$62,550 (2020) → $80,110 (2025)
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$64,190 (2020) → $81,390 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Lexington, KY
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays dental hygienists more: Lexington or Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County?
Should I relocate from Lexington to Louisville/Jefferson County as a dental hygienist?
What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov