Dental Assistant Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $47,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $47,867/year (≈ $23.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $52,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Elizabethtown, KY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,867, which reflects the influence of the state’s expanded function skills regulations. The range for salaries spans from $37,130 at the 10th percentile to as high as $85,812 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity that may be driven in part by the expanded role of dental assistants. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, position Elizabethtown slightly below the national median salary of $49,579. As the local market supports around 140 dental assistants, the demand for skilled practitioners continues to shape compensation trends.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,371 | $21.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,867 | $23.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,533 | $29.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,812 | $41.26 |
Median Salary Position
3.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,682 (2026 est.). At $47,867, the local median is 3.45% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabethtown: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Elizabethtown Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $47,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $48,060 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.45% less |
Dental Assistants in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $47,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.45% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.40% below the Kentucky state average of $48,060.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 9.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.572 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,867 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,850 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.41% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$33,640
2025 BLS Actual
$46,410
2026 Current Est.
$47,867
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 38.0% from $33,640 (2019) to $46,410 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,730 (46.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,130 – $45,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,371 – $47,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,867 – $60,533 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,533 – $85,812 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Elizabethtown
On a practical level, the cost of living index in Elizabethtown stands at 90.572, which means the purchasing power for dental assistants aligns favorably with their salaries. Employers such as pediatric dental offices and oral surgery practices often lead in pay, while general dental practices and DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen adopt tiered pay scales that can influence earnings as well. The wide salary gap can be attributed to several factors, including the level of specialization, EFDA credentialing opportunities, and additional roles like treatment coordinators. To maximize earnings, aspiring dental assistants in Elizabethtown should pursue expanded function training and cultivate connections within the industry. Engaging with professional organizations like the DANB and ADAA can also open pathways to higher roles, which could further enhance their income potential in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Elizabethtown, KY in 2026?
Is Elizabethtown, KY a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Elizabethtown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Elizabethtown?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Elizabethtown?
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
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 $46,410 for dental assistantsin the Elizabethtown metropolitan area. A 3.14% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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