Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Madisonville, KY: $22.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Madisonville, KY runs $22.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,768 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Madisonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,456 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madisonville, Kentucky, dental assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $22.00, which sits slightly below the national hourly median of $23.84 for this occupation. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis in diverse environments such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or orthodontic practices, this rate can offer a flexible income. Entry-level dental assistants may find themselves starting in the range of $17.74 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $25.83 per hour in the Madisonville area. These hourly rates are extrapolated from annual salaries and vary within specialized settings like oral surgery and periodontal practices, where pay rates often trend higher due to the specialized nature of the work.
About the Madisonville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.74 | $141.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.51 | $164.12 |
| Median (P50) | $22.00 | $176.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.31 | $202.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.83 | $206.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madisonville
Based on $22.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.00/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madisonville, KY can expect to earn approximately $45,760 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,400. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madisonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madisonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $879.99 | $3,813 | $45,760 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.99 | $2,288 | $27,456 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.00 | $1,525 | $18,304 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Madisonville) | $22.00 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Madisonville, KY earn a median of $45,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.70% below the Kentucky state average of $48,026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.00/hr = $27,456/year (purchasing power: $30,745).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,760/year (purchasing power: $51,242).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Madisonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Madisonville grew 19.9% from $17.78/hr (2019) to $21.33/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.69/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madisonville 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 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Madisonville
Exploring part-time opportunities, a dental assistant in Madisonville who works three days a week, or 24 hours, would take home a significantly different annual amount compared to their full-time counterparts. For per-diem work, dental assistants typically bill between $22 and $35 per hour, though those specializing in oral surgery or orthodontics can command rates from $28 to $45 per hour. Employer type significantly influences hourly pay; while general dental practices may offer lower rates, specialized offices often provide premiums. Some dental assistants choose positions that pay less per hour for the added benefits of health insurance, creating trade-offs in job selection. Negotiating hourly wages can be effective, particularly in specialized fields, where demonstrating additional skills or certifications, such as those from DANB or having expanded function authority, enhances earning potential in Madisonville's evolving dental landscape.
More salary data for Madisonville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Madisonville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Madisonville?
Are dental assistants in Madisonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Madisonville?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Madisonville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Madisonville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madisonville 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 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov