Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dentist Salary in Chattanooga

The median dentist earns $160,620 a year in the Chattanooga metro, with the middle half between $103,990 and $249,420.[1]

25th percentile

$103,990

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$160,620

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$249,420

Upper end of the middle half

Chattanooga runs about 25% lower than the Tennessee median and ranks 6th of 8 Tennessee metros. It is about 6% lower than the national median.

Note: BLS figures reflect employed dentists. Many dentists own their practices, and owner earnings aren't included. That can make high-ownership areas read lower than you'd expect.

Chattanooga pay range vs. Tennessee and the U.S.

Dentist annual wages: Chattanooga vs. Tennessee vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualTennessee annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$85,650$84,360$86,250
25th percentile$103,990$133,710$125,710
Median$160,620$215,290$170,950
75th percentile$249,420$269,120$224,040
90th percentile$299,990$311,900$319,630
Mean (average)$181,120$210,700$191,350

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

190

About 9% of Tennessee's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

0.72

Tennessee: 0.67

Location quotient

0.91

1.00 = U.S. average; close to the national average

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Dentist salary in Chattanooga: FAQ

How much do dentists make in Chattanooga?

The median dentist salary in the Chattanooga metro area is $160,620, with the middle half earning between $103,990 and $249,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $85,650 at the 10th percentile to $299,990 at the 90th.

Is Chattanooga higher or lower than the rest of Tennessee?

Chattanooga runs about 25% lower than the Tennessee state median for dentists. It ranks 6th of 8 Tennessee metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Chattanooga compare nationally?

Dentist pay in Chattanooga is about 6% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dentists work in the Chattanooga area?

BLS estimates 190 dentists were employed in the Chattanooga metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.91, so the role is close to the national average.