Dental Hygienist salary in Tennessee
Dental Hygienists in Tennessee earn a median of $84,640 a year ($40.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,300 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $98,100. Tennessee ranks 42nd of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.4 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| 25th percentile | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Median | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| 75th percentile | $94,240 | $45.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Average (mean) | $87,420 | $42.03 |
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 | $7,053.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,526.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,255.38 |
| Weekly | $1,627.69 |
| Hourly | $40.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $94,030 | 1,490 |
| Knoxville, TN | $84,640 | 590 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $83,460 | 460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $82,870 | 210 |
| 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 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,580 | 650 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Tennessee is $84,640 a year, or $40.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Tennessee earn at least $98,300 a year. The top 25% earn $94,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,190 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $80,380 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Tennessee?
About 4,570 dental hygienists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.