Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Louisville, KY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$45,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$51,724 vs $47,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$45,882 vs $43,919
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $77,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $59,290▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $98,560▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $123,200▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,724▲ | $47,531 | +$4,193 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,917 | $71,148▲ | -$31,231 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,882▲ | $43,919 | +$1,963 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 145,000 | -120,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $32,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($51,724 vs $47,531 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.