Dental Hygienist Pay

Georgetown vs Louisville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Georgetown, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Georgetown, KY
$77,919
$37.46/hr
Louisville, KY
$88,839
$42.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGeorgetown, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$77,919$88,839
Hourly Rate$37.46$42.71
Entry Level (P10)$62,667$62,703
25th Percentile$68,046$71,830
75th Percentile$86,802$100,163
Top Earner (P90)$96,989$117,955
Total Employed6132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Georgetown ($77,919) and Louisville ($88,839) dental hygienist salaries.GeorgetownLouisvilleMedian Salary$77,919$88,839Entry Level (P10)$62,667$62,703Top Earner (P90)$96,989$117,955US Median $102,946

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Georgetown.

The salary gap between Georgetown and Louisville is $10,920 (14.01%). 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 Georgetown spans $34,322,Louisville spans $55,252. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Georgetown
P10 (Entry)$62,667
P25$68,046
Median$77,919
P75$86,802
P90 (Top)$96,989
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$62,703
P25$71,830
Median$88,839
P75$100,163
P90 (Top)$117,955

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($99,484 effective) pays 14.01% more than Georgetown ($87,255 effective).

Georgetown
Nominal: $77,919
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $87,255
Louisville
Nominal: $88,839
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $99,484

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Georgetown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,839/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,955)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • 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 Georgetown grew 22.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 22.7% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Georgetown, KY

+22.7%

$60,531 (2020) → $74,251 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+22.7%

$69,014 (2020) → $84,657 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Georgetown or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $88,839/year, compared to Georgetown at $77,919/year — a difference of $10,920 (14.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Georgetown and Louisville?

Georgetown dental hygienists earn $37.46/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $42.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Georgetown to Louisville as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Georgetown and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Georgetown = $87,255, Louisville = $99,484), job availability (6 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Georgetown vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $62,667 in Georgetown and $62,703 in Louisville. The Louisville area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

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