Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Jeffersontown, KY: $37.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Jeffersontown, KY runs $37.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,357 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Jeffersontown's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,414 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jeffersontown, Kentucky, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $37.19, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This hourly wage can be quite appealing for various working arrangements, such as part-time positions (averaging three days a week), where a hygienist may take home a respectable income while still enjoying personal time. The hourly wage for dental hygienists in this area ranges from $29.59 for entry-level positions to $47.00 for those at the top of their field, catering to a variety of settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health mobile clinics. The hourly rates that comprise these estimates are derived from annual salary data, allowing potential workers to assess the financial landscape of their profession.
About the Jeffersontown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($78,073) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.59 | $236.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.15 | $257.23 |
| Median (P50) | $37.19 | $297.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.15 | $329.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.00 | $376.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jeffersontown
Based on $37.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.19/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jeffersontown, KY can expect to earn approximately $77,357 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,629. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jeffersontown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jeffersontown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,487.63 | $6,446 | $77,357 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $892.58 | $3,868 | $46,414 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $595.05 | $2,579 | $30,943 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Jeffersontown) | $37.19 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Jeffersontown, KY earn a median of $77,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.86% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.10% below the Kentucky state average of $81,514.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.19/hr = $46,414/year (purchasing power: $51,975).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,357/year (purchasing power: $86,626).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$28.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.19/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Jeffersontown (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $28.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Jeffersontown grew 22.7% from $28.89/hr (2020) to $35.44/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.03/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jeffersontown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Jeffersontown
When considering part-time work versus a full-time role, a dental hygienist working three days a week (totaling about 24 hours) could net approximately $46,529 annually, which is favorable relative to some other careers in the area. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Jeffersontown varies, with temporary agency roles typically offering rates between $40 to $60, while higher costs of living cities like San Francisco and New York often reach $60 to $85 per hour. Dental hygienists in Jeffersontown might find that hourly rates differ across employer types, whether working in solo practices, multiple-doctor group settings, or with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland Dental. While higher hourly rates can be enticing, many hygienists must weigh this against the potential benefits—like health insurance—associated with lower hourly pay roles. Understanding how to negotiate effectively with employers in the region can significantly influence earnings and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Jeffersontown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Jeffersontown in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Jeffersontown?
Are dental hygienists in Jeffersontown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Jeffersontown?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Jeffersontown?
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Jeffersontown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jeffersontown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov