KY · Lexington · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Hygienist jobs in Lexington, KY

Dental Hygienists in the Lexington area earn a median of $37.17 per hour, about $77,310 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $32.43 and $42.71. That ranks 314th of 369 U.S. metro areas for dental hygienist pay, and 277th of 332 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Lexington and its metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Lexington.

Open Dental Hygienist roles near Lexington

Roles in other cities of the Lexington-Fayette area.

Get the Lexington Dental Hygienist pay report

Named employers near Lexington, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

Get my free pay report

Dental Hygienist pay in Lexington, KY

The metro median is in line with the Kentucky statewide median of $37.23 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.32 per hour. BLS counts about 430 dental hygienists employed in the Lexington-Fayette metro area, 1.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.08).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$28.91$60,13036% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$32.43$67,45028% below U.S. median
Median$37.17$77,31018% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$42.71$88,8406% below U.S. median
Top 10%$45.01$93,6201% below U.S. median

How Lexington ranks

  • 314th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 277th of 332 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 6 Kentucky metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Lexington

  • Overall prices in Lexington-Fayette run 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 23% below the U.S. average (index 77.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $37.17 median hour buys what $40.02 buys at the national price level, 12% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Lexington paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,338
  • Per year: $66,906
  • Per month: $5,576

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lexington-Fayette metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Fayette County

HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Fayette County (2 population-group, 4 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Hygienist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Louisville, KY65 mi$38.56/hr640,796
Jeffersonville, IN70 mi$38.56/hr52,912
Cincinnati, OH76 mi$46.66/hr314,915
Hamilton, OH94 mi$46.66/hr63,953
Middletown, OH101 mi$46.66/hr52,291
Columbus, IN113 mi$39.90/hr51,970

Dental Hygienist jobs in Kentucky · Dental Hygienist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Kentucky

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kentucky requires for your role with the Kentucky licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Kentucky taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Kentucky state guide

Other healthcare roles in Lexington

Lexington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Lexington, KY?

Dental Hygienists in the Lexington-Fayette metro area have a median pay of $37.17 per hour, about $77,310 a year. The middle half earn between $32.43 and $42.71 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Lexington a good place for dental hygienists once cost of living is counted?

Lexington-Fayette ranks 277th of 332 metro areas for dental hygienist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 314th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental hygienists in Lexington?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in the Lexington-Fayette area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Lexington.

Do I need a Kentucky license to work in Lexington as a dental hygienist?

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kentucky requires for your role with the Kentucky licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Lexington in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Fayette County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental hygienists in Lexington?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lexington and across Kentucky. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lexington.

Free for every candidate

What do employers near Lexington pay dental hygienists? Get the report.

Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.

  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

  3. 3
    Roles open for you right now

    Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.

Get your free pay report

55+ Dental Hygienist roles in Kentucky, sent free by email

Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
That email doesn't look quite right.
Please choose your role.
Please enter your city or ZIP.

Free for candidates. No phone number, no cold calls. One-click unsubscribe.

The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · Hygienist near Lexington, KY
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Hygienist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Kentucky list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Aspen DentalGeorgetown, KY · 4 postings$41.75/ hr$33–$53
  • PDS HealthEverett, WA · 3 postings$77.50/ hr$70–$85
  • PDS HealthPortland, OR · 3 postings$69.00/ hr$58–$80
  • Smile BrandsBonney Lake, WA · 11 postings$68.50/ hr$52–$72

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Kentucky list

2What they are offering now

Low$34Median$47.50High$54

5 Hygienist postings with published pay in Kentucky, 3 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 5 Hygienist roles

  1. Dental Hygienist (RDH)Permanent
    $45.00–$50.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Georgetown, KY · posted 17 days ago
  2. Dental Hygienist (RDH)Permanent
    $33.00–$35.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Ashland, KY · posted 18 days ago

+ 3 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
Check my pay