Dental Hygienist Salary in Ashland, KY: $78,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Ashland, KY earns a median $78,028/year (≈ $37.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $87,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashland, Kentucky, the local job market for dental hygienists offers a median annual salary of $78,028, reflecting the area’s competitive positioning despite being significantly below the national median of $102,946. The salary range spans from $61,602 for the bottom 10% to $93,311 for the top 90%, highlighting the potential for growth based on experience and practice type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which suggests a modest job environment with only four dental hygienists currently employed in the area. This limited number indicates a tight job market that may open opportunities for growth as demand for dental services continues to rise.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($78,073) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,602 | $29.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,925 | $32.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,028 | $37.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,413 | $40.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,311 | $44.86 |
Median Salary Position
24.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,709 (2026 est.). At $78,028, the local median is 24.2% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be above the median
How Ashland Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Ashland median: $78,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $81,449 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -24.20% less |
Dental Hygienists in Ashland, KY earn a median of $78,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.20% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.20% below the Kentucky state average of $81,449.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $78,028 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$60,220
2025 BLS Actual
$74,355
2026 Current Est.
$78,028
2020–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ashland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $60,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,807 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,073 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,355 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,883 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 23.5% from $60,220 (2020) to $74,355 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,663 (35.97%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,602 – $66,925 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,925 – $78,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,028 – $83,413 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,413 – $93,311 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Ashland
Understanding the local economic context is essential when evaluating dental hygienist pay in Ashland, KY. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, professionals may find that their take-home purchasing power is slightly above the national average, making salaries more competitive in reality. Among dental practices, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the highest compensation rates, including sign-on bonuses that can attract new talent. Factors influencing salary variation include production-based bonuses tied to maintaining patient recall and retention, alongside employment structures such as four-day versus five-day work weeks. To maximize pay in Ashland, dental hygienists should consider opportunities with DSOs that provide full benefits, as many private offices may not offer health insurance, impacting overall compensation and job satisfaction in the long term.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $74,355 for dental hygienistsin the Ashland metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ashland 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