Dental Hygienist Salary in Radcliff, KY: $78,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Radcliff, KY earns a median $78,193/year (≈ $37.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Radcliff's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $87,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Radcliff, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $78,193, which reflects a cost-of-living adjusted figure that is significantly lower than the national average of $102,946. This local compensation ranges from $63,244 at the 10th percentile to $94,613 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide disparity in salaries. Given that the cost-of-living index in Radcliff stands at 89.3—below the national average—this projected salary translates to a real purchasing power that may not stretch as far as it would in higher-cost areas. Understanding this is vital for professionals assessing opportunities within Radcliff's dental market, especially in a community where only four dental hygienists are currently employed.
About the Radcliff Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($78,073) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,244 | $30.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,918 | $32.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,193 | $37.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,506 | $40.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,613 | $45.49 |
Median Salary Position
24.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Radcliff
In Radcliff, KY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,369 (2026 est.). At $78,193, the local median is 24.04% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Radcliff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Radcliff Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Radcliff median: $78,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Radcliff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $81,451 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -24.04% less |
Dental Hygienists in Radcliff, KY earn a median of $78,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.04% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.00% below the Kentucky state average of $81,451.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Radcliff has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Radcliff, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $78,193 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$60,744
2025 BLS Actual
$74,512
2026 Current Est.
$78,193
2020–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Radcliff (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $60,744 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,556 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,699 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,995 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,512 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,056 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Radcliff metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 22.7% from $60,744 (2020) to $74,512 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,056 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,312 (35.08%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radcliff 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 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-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) | $63,244 – $67,918 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,918 – $78,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,193 – $84,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,506 – $94,613 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Radcliff
As the job market for dental hygienists in Radcliff reflects the broader trends in Kentucky, the relatively low number of registered professionals can reduce competition, offering potential benefits for those entering the field. While salaries are certainly competitive within the local context, many dental hygienists find that employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental or Aspen provide better pay and benefits compared to solo practices, which may lack comprehensive health insurance. Additionally, factors such as production-based bonuses and varying weekly schedules (4-day versus 5-day work weeks) can greatly influence earnings potential. For aspiring hygienists, securing positions in DSOs or maximizing hours can be effective strategies for enhancing overall pay, especially with the growing trend of sign-on bonuses for recent graduates in the area.
More salary data for Radcliff, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Radcliff, KY in 2026?
Is Radcliff, KY a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Radcliff?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Radcliff?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Radcliff?
Related Pages
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Career Resources
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.
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 $74,512 for dental hygienistsin the Radcliff metropolitan area. A 4.94% 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
Salary data for Radcliff 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 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov