Dental Hygienist Salary in Tennessee: $90,464 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $90,464/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,545 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($94,030), Franklin ($92,898), Murfreesboro ($92,364).
In Tennessee, the projected average median salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $90,464, which is 12.1% lower than the national median of $102,946. The disparity in salaries across cities is significant; for instance, Nashville offers the highest average salary at $98,675, while Tullahoma presents the lowest at $79,511, creating a salary gap of $19,164. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living variations, local demand for dental services, and the presence of larger urban healthcare facilities in cities like Nashville and Franklin. Tennessee requires dental hygienists to hold a state license, passing both a written and practical examination, which can influence employment opportunities and salary levels. The scope of practice laws also allow hygienists in Tennessee to perform certain expanded functions, enhancing their role in dental care. The employment outlook for dental hygienists in Tennessee is positive, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.94%, reflecting increasing awareness of oral health and an aging population that often requires dental services. With a total of 4,212 practicing dental hygienists across 30 metro areas, the job market remains steady, providing opportunities for those entering this rewarding profession.
Tennessee Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $62,487 (lowest entry-level) to $126,171 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee dental hygienists earn 12.12% less than the national median ($-12,482/year difference).
Tennessee Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Tennessee range from $77,018 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $106,229 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $90,464. The Tennessee median is $12,482 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $43.49/hr. Approximately 4,212 dental hygienists are employed across 30 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$65,944
2025 BLS Actual
$86,205
2026 Current Est.
$90,464
2020–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Tennessee (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $65,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,636 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,835 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,205 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,464 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,932 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 30.7% from $65,944 (2020) to $86,205 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,932 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,988 (43.96%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $79,511 |
| Sevierville | $81,246 |
| Maryville | $81,715 |
| Cookeville | $81,768 |
| La Vergne | $82,189 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $97,487 | 91.8 | $106,195 |
| Murfreesboro | $96,927 | 91.8 | $105,585 |
| Nashville | $98,675 | 96.338 | $102,426 |
| Jackson | $86,838 | 85.522 | $101,539 |
| Kingsport | $86,964 | 86.447 | $100,598 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $77,018 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $90,464 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $106,229 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $98,675 |
| 2 | Franklin | $97,487 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $96,927 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $88,821 |
| 5 | Chattanooga | $87,583 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $86,985 |
| 7 | Kingsport | $86,964 |
| 8 | Jackson | $86,838 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $86,548 |
| 10 | Collierville | $86,248 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $85,587 |
| 12 | Clarksville | $85,274 |
| 13 | Morristown | $85,043 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $84,439 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge | $84,433 |
| 16 | Johnson City | $84,025 |
| 17 | Columbia | $83,865 |
| 18 | Cleveland | $83,826 |
| 19 | Germantown | $83,758 |
| 20 | Hendersonville | $83,590 |
| 21 | Gallatin | $83,444 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $83,011 |
| 23 | Memphis | $82,462 |
| 24 | Shelbyville | $82,365 |
| 25 | Mount Juliet | $82,362 |
| 26 | La Vergne | $82,189 |
| 27 | Cookeville | $81,768 |
| 28 | Maryville | $81,715 |
| 29 | Sevierville | $81,246 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $79,511 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Tennessee?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov