Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $25.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Louisville, KY runs $25.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,378 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,420 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, dental assistants earn a median hourly pay of $25.18, which reflects a competitive advantage over the national median of $23.84 per hour. This higher hourly rate benefits part-time workers, making it appealing for those who opt for less than full-time schedules, such as those in general dentistry operatories or pediatric exam rooms. Per-diem dental assistants, who often work in varying capacities across different settings like orthodontic chair rows or oral surgery procedure rooms, also find this hourly rate advantageous. Entry-level positions start at approximately $17.99 per hour, while top earners can make $33.70, offering a significant range depending on experience and the specific dental practice environment.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.99 | $143.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.09 | $176.74 |
| Median (P50) | $25.18 | $201.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.03 | $248.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.70 | $269.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $25.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.18/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $52,367 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,212. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,007.06 | $4,364 | $52,367 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $604.24 | $2,618 | $31,420 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $402.82 | $1,746 | $20,947 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Louisville) | $25.18 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Louisville, KY earn a median of $52,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.65% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $48,053.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.18/hr = $31,420/year (purchasing power: $35,185).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,367/year (purchasing power: $58,642).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Louisville grew 19.9% from $20.35/hr (2019) to $24.41/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.97/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Louisville
Considering part-time employment, a dental assistant working three days a week for 24 hours could earn around $31,152 annually, a noticeable difference from full-time earnings. Per diem dental assistants in Louisville typically charge between $22-$35 an hour, depending on the intricacies of their role; specialists in oral surgery or orthodontics might command rates from $28-$45 per hour. As the dental landscape in Louisville includes a variety of employers—from solo practices to national chains like Heartland and Aspen—hourly pay can fluctuate based on the type of practice. While some may accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance, others opt for higher pay without the additional perks. Effective negotiation strategies can give dental assistants an edge in maximizing their hourly pay in a competitive market.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Louisville?
Are dental assistants in Louisville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Louisville?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville?
Related Pages
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Career Resources
Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
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 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Louisville. 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 Louisville 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 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov