Dental Hygienist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Dental Hygienists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $78,580 a year ($37.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,720 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $84,640. There are 1.1 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $86,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,150 | $34.69 |
| 25th percentile | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Median | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| 75th percentile | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,720 | $57.56 |
| Average (mean) | $86,210 | $41.45 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,548.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,274.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,022.31 |
| Weekly | $1,511.15 |
| Hourly | $37.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $94,030 | 1,490 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $89,160 | 490 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $87,210 | 410 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $86,650 | 80 |
| Knoxville, TN | $84,640 | 590 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $84,480 | 150 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $83,460 | 460 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $82,970 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $82,870 | 210 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $82,800 | 70 |
| Jackson, TN | $82,750 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $81,260 | 200 |
| Morristown, TN | $81,040 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $80,070 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $79,880 | 90 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $73,500 | 160 |
| Jackson, MS | $67,270 | 320 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $65,360 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $256,240 | $123.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $298,620 | $143.57 |
| Veterinarian | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,900 | $58.61 |
| Dentists, General | $238,040 | $114.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,310 | $34.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $78,580 a year, or $37.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $119,720 a year. The top 25% earn $92,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,150 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $75,870 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 650 dental hygienists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.