How to Become a Dental Assistant in Kentucky (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky employs about 4,530 dental assistants earning a median $47,730 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Kentucky

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
156.6Contact school for pricing$32,88059%—35 mi
251.0$4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state$48,18143%Yes*49 mi
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346.1Contact school for pricing$52,96663%—45 mi
443.3$14,200$40,85446%Yes*42 mi
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537.4Contact school for pricing$29,53756%—57 mi
634.8Contact school for pricing$34,40560%—97 mi
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732.3Contact school for pricing$31,94461%—98 mi
831.1Contact school for pricing$32,97859%—104 mi
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927.9$14,763$40,98050%—104 mi
1027.2Contact school for pricing$25,27054%—109 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Kentucky employs approximately 4,530 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,730 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in Kentucky, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Kentucky

How to become a Dental Assistant in Kentucky? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry.

Do I need a license in Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky credentials this role through Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry 3. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Kentucky is $47,730 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,600 and experienced professionals can earn $62,050 or more 1.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Kentucky

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Kentucky dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Kentucky. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Kentucky

Dental assistants in Kentucky typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry requires. See Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cincinnati2,440$49,590$53,990$37,840$77,420
Louisville/Jefferson County1,500$49,100$52,000$37,900$62,760
Lexington-Fayette750$48,690$50,580$30,400$62,200
Clarksville320$46,050$46,970$36,700$59,300
Huntington-Ashland240$42,660$42,720$32,120$56,760
Bowling Green220$45,970$48,950$35,470$60,410
Paducah190$46,750$47,700$35,020$59,260
Owensboro160$45,330$47,520$35,310$59,890
Elizabethtown140$46,410$50,950$36,000$83,200

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 4,530 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a dental assistant in Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Contact the Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Kentucky.

How much do dental assistants earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Kentucky is $47,730, which is $430 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.

In Kentucky

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: http://dentistry.ky.gov ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)