Dental hygienist salary in Tennessee
Dental hygienists in Tennessee earn a median $40.69 an hour, or $84,640 a year, 13.7% below the national median of $47.16. Tennessee ranks 42 of 50 on median hourly pay. About 4,570 hygienists work in the state.
$40.69
median hourly wage
$84,640
median annual wage
4,570
dental hygienists employed
1.8x
the median for all jobs here
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Tennessee pay range
| Measure | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36.63 | $76,190 |
| 25th percentile | $38.64 | $80,380 |
| Median | $40.69 | $84,640 |
| 75th percentile | $45.31 | $94,240 |
| 90th percentile | $47.26 | $98,300 |
| Mean (average) | $42.03 | $87,420 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Against the national figures
| Tennessee | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median hourly | $40.69 | $47.16 |
| Median annual | $84,640 | $98,100 |
| 90th percentile hourly | $47.26 | $60.60 |
| Median, all occupations (annual) | $47,380 | $50,980 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Tennessee license guide
Exams, fees, local anesthesia and nitrous rules, supervision and license by credential.
Read the guidePay by metro and nonmetro area
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 25th to 75th percentile (hourly) | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $45.21 | $94,030 | $38.64 to $46.88 | 1,490 |
| Knoxville, TN | $40.69 | $84,640 | $40.55 to $45.00 | 590 |
| North Central Tennessee (nonmetro) | $40.52 | $84,280 | $39.62 to $43.81 | 200 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40.12 | $83,460 | $38.92 to $44.57 | 460 |
| South Central Tennessee (nonmetro) | $40.11 | $83,420 | $39.27 to $43.86 | 160 |
| West Tennessee (nonmetro) | $40.01 | $83,230 | $39.47 to $43.84 | 170 |
| East Tennessee (nonmetro) | $39.87 | $82,930 | $39.43 to $44.19 | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $39.84 | $82,870 | $38.51 to $44.75 | 210 |
| Jackson, TN | $39.78 | $82,750 | $37.56 to $44.23 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $39.07 | $81,260 | $35.92 to $42.50 | 200 |
| Morristown, TN | $38.96 | $81,040 | $36.25 to $43.78 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $38.49 | $80,070 | $37.50 to $40.88 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $38.40 | $79,880 | $37.95 to $40.49 | 90 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37.78 | $78,580 | $36.48 to $44.38 | 650 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Metro figures cover the whole metro area, including any part in a neighboring state.
How common the job is
Tennessee has 1.40 dental hygienist jobs per 1,000 jobs, a location quotient of 0.97 (1.00 is the national share; below 1 means hygienists make up a smaller share of jobs here than nationally).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries.
Hiring a dental hygienist in Tennessee?
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