Dental Assistant Salary in Paducah, KY: $48,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Paducah, KY earns a median $48,218/year (≈ $23.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $56,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Paducah, Kentucky, the projected median annual dental assistant salary for 2026 is set at $48,218, which showcases the influence of the state's EFDA expanded function rules that elevate compensation for dental assistants compared to national averages. Salary ranges indicate considerable variability, with figures spanning from $36,120 at the 10th percentile to $61,121 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. The demand for skilled dental assistants in the region is heightened not just by the existing workforce but also by the expanding roles due to recent changes in state regulations that allow for additional responsibilities, thereby enhancing earning potential within Paducah’s dental market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,588 | $21.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,218 | $23.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,429 | $28.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,121 | $29.38 |
Median Salary Position
2.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,001 (2026 est.). At $48,218, the local median is 2.75% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paducah Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Paducah median: $48,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $48,026 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.75% less |
Dental Assistants in Paducah, KY earn a median of $48,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.75% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.40% above the Kentucky state average of $48,026.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,013 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,979
2025 BLS Actual
$46,750
2026 Current Est.
$48,218
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,979 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,049 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,598 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,589 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,262 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,732 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,979 (2019) to $46,750 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,732 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,753 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $36,120 – $45,588 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,588 – $48,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,218 – $59,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,429 – $61,121 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Paducah
Examining the local job market reveals that there are approximately 190 dental assistants currently employed in Paducah, providing solid opportunities for growth despite a cost-of-living index of 86.084, which suggests that living expenses are below the national average. This context significantly impacts purchasing power, making the average dental assistant pay in Paducah, KY, more competitive. Higher-paying employers in the area often include dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, as well as specialty offices in orthodontics and oral surgery, which typically offer premiums for specialized roles. Factors driving the salary range include credentials such as EFDA and the type of practice, with positions in specialty fields tending to command higher salaries. For dental assistants aspiring to maximize their pay, pursuing advanced certifications through the DANB and seeking roles that combine administrative duties with clinical responsibilities can be advantageous in this evolving market.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $46,750 for dental assistantsin the Paducah 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, 2-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