General Dentist salary in Kentucky
The verified BLS median general dentist in Kentucky earns $134,160 ($64.50/hr). Kentucky pays roughly 22% below the national median of $170,950.
General Dentist pay in Kentucky: the analysis
At a verified median of $134,160, general dentists in Kentucky earn notably below the U.S. median of $170,950 — a gap of about 22%. Among the 51 states where the BLS reports general dentist pay, Kentucky ranks 48th.
The pay range is wide: the lowest-paid tenth of general dentists in this state earn around $44,820, while the top tenth earn $344,040 or more — a spread of about $299,220. That gap reflects experience, practice setting, and demand more than any single factor, so an individual offer can sit well above or below the midpoint.
The BLS counts roughly 790 general dentists employed in Kentucky — a measure of how deep the local job market is for the role.
Within Kentucky, a general dentist earns about 1.7× what a dental hygienist earns and about 2.8× what a dental assistant earns ($78,830, $47,730 respectively) — a quick way to see where the role sits in the local dental pay ladder.
Within the state, general dentist pay is highest in Paducah at about $152,490 and lowest in Lexington at about $114,990. Metro-level demand and cost of living explain most of the in-state variation — see the metro breakdown below.
General Dentist pay distribution — Kentucky (verified)
Inner percentiles marked “est.” are interpolated between published anchors.
| Percentile | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| 10th percentilei | $44,820 |
| 25th percentilei | $103,720 |
| Median (50th)i | $134,160 |
| 75th percentilei | $165,180 |
| 90th percentilei | $344,040 |
| Mean (average)i | $157,630 |
General Dentist pay by metro in Kentucky
All 2 Kentucky metros where BLS publishes a general dentist wage — highest first. State median: $134,160.
Verified BLS OEWS metropolitan wage estimates (May 2025). Percentages compare each metro median with the Kentucky median. Metros where BLS does not publish a general dentist wage are not listed.
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How much does a general dentist make in Kentucky?
The verified BLS OEWS median general dentist in Kentucky earns about $134,160 ($64.50/hr), from the official May 2025 state wage survey.
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