Dental Assistant Pay

Jeffersontown vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Jeffersontown, KY
$45,607
$21.93/hr
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$50,642
$24.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJeffersontown, KYLouisville/Jefferson County, KY
Median Salary$45,607$50,642
Hourly Rate$21.93$24.35
Entry Level (P10)$36,718$39,090
25th Percentile$42,699$48,981
75th Percentile$55,069$61,936
Top Earner (P90)$58,085$64,731
Total Employed51,500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jeffersontown ($45,607) and Louisville/Jefferson County ($50,642) dental assistant salaries.JeffersontownLouisville/Jefferson CountyMedian Salary$45,607$50,642Entry Level (P10)$36,718$39,090Top Earner (P90)$58,085$64,731US Median $49,579

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersontown.

The salary gap between Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County is $5,035 (11.04%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is +2.14% 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,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $25,641. Louisville/Jefferson County 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
Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$39,090
P25$48,981
Median$50,642
P75$61,936
P90 (Top)$64,731

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($54,410 effective) pays 6.54% more than Jeffersontown ($51,072 effective).

Jeffersontown
Nominal: $45,607
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $51,072
Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $50,642
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $54,410

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 Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,642/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,731)
  • Larger job market (1,500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,410)
  • 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 25.8% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.

Jeffersontown, KY

+37.3%

$32,214 (2024) → $44,219 (2025)

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+25.8%

$39,020 (2019) → $49,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Jeffersontown or Louisville/Jefferson County?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median dental assistant salary at $50,642/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $45,607/year — a difference of $5,035 (11.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County?

Jeffersontown dental assistants earn $21.93/hr while Louisville/Jefferson County hygienists earn $24.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jeffersontown to Louisville/Jefferson County as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jeffersontown = $51,072, Louisville/Jefferson County = $54,410), job availability (5 vs 1,500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Jeffersontown vs Louisville/Jefferson County?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,718 in Jeffersontown and $39,090 in Louisville/Jefferson County. The Louisville/Jefferson County 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