Dental Hygienist Salary in Florence, KY: $80,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Florence, KY earns a median $80,745/year (≈ $38.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Florence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $90,420 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Florence, KY, the dental hygienist salary landscape reflects a moderately stable market, with a projected median annual salary of $80,745 for 2026. With only seven dental hygienists currently employed in the area, this employment figure suggests limited market saturation, allowing for potential growth opportunities. The salary range is notably diverse, spanning from $63,385 at the P10 percentile to as high as $98,275 at the P90. These local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors, and highlight the relative earning potential for dental hygienists in this specific market compared to the national average.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($78,073) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,385 | $30.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,113 | $33.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,745 | $38.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,851 | $41.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,275 | $47.24 |
Median Salary Position
21.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, KY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,890 (2026 est.). At $80,745, the local median is 21.57% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Florence median: $80,745/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $81,478 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -21.57% less |
Dental Hygienists in Florence, KY earn a median of $80,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.57% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $81,478.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence 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.
Florence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $80,745 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,420 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$62,727
2025 BLS Actual
$76,944
2026 Current Est.
$80,745
2020–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Florence (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $62,727 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,696 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,712 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,073 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,944 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,734 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 22.7% from $62,727 (2020) to $76,944 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,007 (35.08%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $63,385 – $69,113 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,113 – $80,745 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,745 – $86,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,851 – $98,275 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Florence
With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, Florence offers a more affordable lifestyle compared to many other areas. This reality can significantly influence the purchasing power of dental hygienists, allowing for a comfortable living despite the salary potentially trailing the national median. Among the various employers in Florence, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), like Heartland Dental and Aspen, often provide the highest pay along with additional benefits, which can include production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives for new graduates. The considerable gap in compensation levels can be attributed to differing work structures—for example, private practices may offer fewer benefits, while DSOs can supply robust health insurance and retirement plans. To maximize earnings in this local market, new graduates and seasoned professionals alike should consider seeking positions within DSOs, negotiating for favorable benefits, and potentially exploring specialty practices that focus on high-demand areas like pediatrics or periodontics.
More salary data for Florence, 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 $76,944 for dental hygienistsin the Florence 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 Florence 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