Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Tennessee
The median dental hygienist earns $84,640 a year in Tennessee ($40.69 an hour), with the middle half earning between $80,380 and $94,240.[1]
25th percentile
$80,380
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$84,640
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$94,240
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $84,640 per year or $40.69/hr at the median. Tennessee runs about 14% lower 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 dental hygienists 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 | $36.63 | $76,190 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $38.64 | $80,380 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $40.69 | $84,640 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $45.31 | $94,240 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $47.26 | $98,300 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $42.03 | $87,420 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Tennessee
4,570
1.40
0.97
How Tennessee compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $84,640 in Tennessee vs. $98,100 nationally, $13,460 (14%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $76,190 vs. $74,880, 2% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $98,300 vs. $126,050, 22% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 13.8% in Tennessee vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Tennessee
All 10 Tennessee metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $94,030 | $80,380–$97,510 | 1,490 |
| Knoxville | $84,640 | $84,340–$93,590 | 590 |
| Chattanooga | $83,460 | $80,950–$92,710 | 460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $82,870 | $80,090–$93,070 | 210 |
| Jackson | $82,750 | $78,130–$91,990 | 110 |
| Clarksville | $81,260 | $74,710–$88,400 | 200 |
| Morristown | $81,040 | $75,390–$91,070 | 70 |
| Johnson City | $80,070 | $78,000–$85,030 | 140 |
| Cleveland | $79,880 | $78,930–$84,210 | 90 |
| Memphis | $78,580 | $75,870–$92,310 | 650 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Tennessee
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 13.8% over 2024–2034, from 4,840 to 5,510 jobs, with about 380 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 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 dental hygienist pay in Tennessee
Pay for a dental hygienist 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
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Dental Hygienist salary in Tennessee: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Tennessee was $84,640 ($40.69 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $80,380 and $94,240. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $76,190 and the top 10% earned over $98,300.
Do dental hygienists in Tennessee earn more than the national median?
No. The Tennessee median of $84,640 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $13,460 (14%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Tennessee metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 10 Tennessee metro areas with published BLS data, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin has the highest median at $94,030 a year. Memphis has the lowest, at $78,580.
How many dental hygienists work in Tennessee?
BLS estimates 4,570 dental hygienists were employed in Tennessee in May 2025. That is 1.40 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.97, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Tennessee?
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 13.8% over 2024–2034, from 4,840 to 5,510 jobs. That works out to about 380 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
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Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), 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: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists