Dental Hygienist Salary in Richmond, KY: $80,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Richmond, KY earns a median $80,233/year (≈ $38.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $89,847 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for a dental hygienist in Richmond, Kentucky, stands at $80,233, reflecting a notable gap when compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range spans from $61,787 at the 10th percentile to $96,643 at the 90th percentile, indicating the variability in compensation based on experience and practice setting. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, which is notably significant given Richmond's cost of living index of 89.3, suggesting a lower living cost relative to the national average. The dental hygienist pay in Richmond, KY, remains competitive, but is still subject to local market dynamics like demand for services and the concentration of private practices versus dental service organizations.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($78,073) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,787 | $29.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,041 | $32.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,233 | $38.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,416 | $42.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,643 | $46.47 |
Median Salary Position
22.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, KY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,856 (2026 est.). At $80,233, the local median is 22.06% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $80,233/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $81,455 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -22.06% less |
Dental Hygienists in Richmond, KY earn a median of $80,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.06% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $81,455.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $80,233 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,847 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$62,329
2025 BLS Actual
$76,456
2026 Current Est.
$80,233
2020–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Richmond (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $62,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,267 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,251 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,596 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,456 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,196 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 22.7% from $62,329 (2020) to $76,456 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,867 (35.08%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $61,787 – $68,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,041 – $80,233 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,233 – $87,416 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,416 – $96,643 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Richmond
Currently, Richmond employs just five dental hygienists, which illustrates a niche job market within the area. This limited number may indicate both opportunities and challenges for aspiring professionals. With a cost of living index below the national norm, take-home purchasing power may be more favorable despite lower salaries compared to national standards. Among various employment types, multi-doctor group practices and DSOs typically offer more lucrative compensation packages, often incorporating production-based bonuses, comprehensive benefits, and sign-on incentives that can enhance earnings potential. Dental hygienists looking to maximize their pay in Richmond might consider optimizing their schedules—opting for four-day weeks or leveraging recall and retention strategies that align with higher production incentives. Engaging with larger organizations may also open up pathways for attractive benefits that independent clinics often lack, thus improving both financial and professional outcomes in an evolving market.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $76,456 for dental hygienistsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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