Dental Assistant Pay

Jeffersontown vs Lexington: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Jeffersontown, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jeffersontown, KY
$45,607
$21.93/hr
Lexington, KY
$50,219
$24.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJeffersontown, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$45,607$50,219
Hourly Rate$21.93$24.15
Entry Level (P10)$36,718$31,355
25th Percentile$42,699$48,228
75th Percentile$55,069$60,265
Top Earner (P90)$58,085$64,153
Total Employed5750
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jeffersontown ($45,607) and Lexington ($50,219) dental assistant salaries.JeffersontownLexingtonMedian Salary$45,607$50,219Entry Level (P10)$36,718$31,355Top Earner (P90)$58,085$64,153US Median $49,579

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersontown.

The salary gap between Jeffersontown and Lexington is $4,612 (10.11%). Lexington's median is +1.29% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jeffersontown spans $21,367,Lexington spans $32,798. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Jeffersontown
P10 (Entry)$36,718
P25$42,699
Median$45,607
P75$55,069
P90 (Top)$58,085
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$31,355
P25$48,228
Median$50,219
P75$60,265
P90 (Top)$64,153

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($54,063 effective) pays 5.86% more than Jeffersontown ($51,072 effective).

Jeffersontown
Nominal: $45,607
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $51,072
Lexington
Nominal: $50,219
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $54,063

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jeffersontown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,153)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,063)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Jeffersontown grew 37.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Jeffersontown, KY

+37.3%

$32,214 (2024) → $44,219 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+20.0%

$40,560 (2019) → $48,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Jeffersontown or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median dental assistant salary at $50,219/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $45,607/year — a difference of $4,612 (10.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jeffersontown and Lexington?

Jeffersontown dental assistants earn $21.93/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $24.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jeffersontown to Lexington as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jeffersontown and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jeffersontown = $51,072, Lexington = $54,063), job availability (5 vs 750 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Jeffersontown vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,718 in Jeffersontown and $31,355 in Lexington. The Jeffersontown area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% 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 Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov