Dentists, General salary in Tennessee
Dentists, General in Tennessee earn a median of $215,290 a year ($103.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $311,900 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $170,950. Tennessee ranks 4th of 47 states for dentists, general pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.67 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $210,700, close to the median.
Pay range for dentists, general in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,360 | $40.56 |
| 25th percentile | $133,710 | $64.28 |
| Median | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| 75th percentile | $269,120 | $129.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $311,900 | $149.95 |
| Average (mean) | $210,700 | $101.30 |
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 | $17,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,970.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,280.38 |
| Weekly | $4,140.19 |
| Hourly | $103.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $157,900 | 220 |
| 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 |
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 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| 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 |
| 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 29-1021. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for dentists, general in Tennessee is $215,290 a year, or $103.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $311,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of dentists, general in Tennessee earn at least $311,900 a year. The top 25% earn $269,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,360 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $133,710 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Tennessee?
About 2,200 dentists, general are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.