Dental Hygienist Pay

Georgetown vs Lexington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Georgetown, KY
$77,919
$37.46/hr
Lexington, KY
$84,067
$40.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGeorgetown, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$77,919$84,067
Hourly Rate$37.46$40.41
Entry Level (P10)$62,667$60,288
25th Percentile$68,046$82,525
75th Percentile$86,802$95,842
Top Earner (P90)$96,989$101,571
Total Employed6410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Georgetown ($77,919) and Lexington ($84,067) dental hygienist salaries.GeorgetownLexingtonMedian Salary$77,919$84,067Entry Level (P10)$62,667$60,288Top Earner (P90)$96,989$101,571US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Georgetown and Lexington is $6,148 (7.89%). Lexington's median is -18.34% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Georgetown spans $34,322,Lexington spans $41,283. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Georgetown
P10 (Entry)$62,667
P25$68,046
Median$77,919
P75$86,802
P90 (Top)$96,989
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$60,288
P25$82,525
Median$84,067
P75$95,842
P90 (Top)$101,571

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($90,503 effective) pays 3.72% more than Georgetown ($87,255 effective).

Georgetown
Nominal: $77,919
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $87,255
Lexington
Nominal: $84,067
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $90,503

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Georgetown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,067/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,571)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,503)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Georgetown grew 22.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 28.1% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Georgetown, KY

+22.7%

$60,531 (2020) → $74,251 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+28.1%

$62,550 (2020) → $80,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Georgetown or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $84,067/year, compared to Georgetown at $77,919/year — a difference of $6,148 (7.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Georgetown and Lexington?

Georgetown dental hygienists earn $37.46/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $40.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Georgetown to Lexington as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Georgetown and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Georgetown = $87,255, Lexington = $90,503), job availability (6 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Georgetown vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $62,667 in Georgetown and $60,288 in Lexington. The Georgetown area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% 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 Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov