Dentists, General salary in Knoxville, TN
Dentists, General in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $157,900 a year ($75.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $259,320 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $170,950. Pay here is 27% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $215,290. There are 0.51 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $174,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dentists, general in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,360 | $40.56 |
| 25th percentile | $106,570 | $51.24 |
| Median | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| 75th percentile | $251,560 | $120.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $259,320 | $124.67 |
| Average (mean) | $174,200 | $83.75 |
Half of dentists, general 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 | $13,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,579.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,073.08 |
| Weekly | $3,036.54 |
| Hourly | $75.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $238,040 | 280 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $215,290 | 1,170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $182,660 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $173,810 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $163,980 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $160,620 | 190 |
| Cleveland, TN | $122,910 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for dentists, general
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 |
| Oregon | $211,690 |
| Maine | $209,200 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 |
| Georgia | $206,760 |
| Missouri | $204,960 |
| Vermont | $204,960 |
See Dentists, General pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1021. 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 dentists, general make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for dentists, general in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $157,900 a year, or $75.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $259,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of dentists, general in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $259,320 a year. The top 25% earn $251,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,360 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $106,570 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Knoxville, TN?
About 220 dentists, general are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.