Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Tennessee
The median dentist earns $215,290 a year in Tennessee ($103.51 an hour), with the middle half earning between $133,710 and $269,120.[1]
25th percentile
$133,710
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$215,290
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$269,120
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $215,290 per year or $103.51/hr at the median. Tennessee runs about 26% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Tennessee
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dentists in Tennessee earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Tennessee hourly | Tennessee annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40.56 | $84,360 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $64.28 | $133,710 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $103.51 | $215,290 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $129.38 | $269,120 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $149.95 | $311,900 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $101.30 | $210,700 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Tennessee
2,200
0.67
0.84
How Tennessee compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $215,290 in Tennessee vs. $170,950 nationally, $44,340 (26%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $84,360 vs. $86,250, 2% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $311,900 vs. $319,630, 2% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 11.1% in Tennessee vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Tennessee
All 8 Tennessee metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $238,040 | $135,830–$273,390 | 280 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $215,290 | $157,320–$269,120 | 1,170 |
| Johnson City | $182,660 | $129,460–$222,040 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $173,810 | $127,990–$246,050 | 90 |
| Clarksville | $163,980 | $102,780–$244,420 | 40 |
| Chattanooga | $160,620 | $103,990–$249,420 | 190 |
| Knoxville | $157,900 | $106,570–$251,560 | 220 |
| Cleveland | $122,910 | $100,630–$241,360 | 40 |
Job outlook for dentists in Tennessee
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 11.1% over 2024–2034, from 1,690 to 1,880 jobs, with about 60 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dentist pay in Tennessee
Pay for a dentist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dentist roles in Tennessee, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Tennessee: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for dentists in Tennessee was $215,290 ($103.51 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $133,710 and $269,120. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $84,360 and the top 10% earned over $311,900. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Tennessee earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Tennessee median of $215,290 is higher than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $44,340 (26%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Tennessee metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 8 Tennessee metro areas with published BLS data, Memphis has the highest median at $238,040 a year. Cleveland has the lowest, at $122,910.
How many dentists work in Tennessee?
BLS estimates 2,200 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Tennessee in May 2025. That is 0.67 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.84, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Tennessee?
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 11.1% over 2024–2034, from 1,690 to 1,880 jobs. That works out to about 60 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Tennessee?
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Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Tennessee long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)