Louisville/Jefferson County vs Louisville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)
Compare dental hygienist salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | Louisville, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $85,411 | $88,839▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $41.06 | $42.71▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,025▲ | $62,703 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,846▲ | $71,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,960▲ | $100,163 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $104,153 | $117,955▲ |
| Total Employed | 780▲ | 132 |
Verdict
Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Louisville/Jefferson County.
The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville is $3,428 (4.01%). Louisville's median is -13.70% compared to the US national median of $102,946.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $37,128,Louisville spans $55,252. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($99,484 effective) pays 8.41% more than Louisville/Jefferson County ($91,767 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Larger job market (780 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Louisville if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($88,839/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($117,955)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,484)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 26.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 22.7% growth in Louisville over the same period.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$64,190 (2020) → $81,390 (2025)
Louisville, KY
$69,014 (2020) → $84,657 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Louisville, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays dental hygienists more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Louisville?
What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville?
Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Louisville as a dental hygienist?
What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Louisville?
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
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov