Tennessee Median
$84,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $98,100
State Rank
#42 of 50
4,570 employed here
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in Tennessee?
Dental Hygienists in Tennessee take home a median of $84,640 annually — roughly $40.69 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $98,100.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $76,190 while the top 10% make $98,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,380 and $94,240 a year.
Dental Hygienist salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,380 | $38.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $84,640 | $40.69 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $94,240 | $45.31 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,300 | $47.26 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 42nd out of 50 states and territories for Dental Hygienist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dental Hygienist salary in other states
District of Columbia $137,220Alaska $132,690Washington $131,160California $124,930Oregon $122,080Nevada $115,290Colorado $109,580Maryland $107,830New Jersey $107,040New York $106,130Minnesota $103,970Virginia $102,950New Hampshire $101,250Arizona $101,010Connecticut $100,690Massachusetts $100,640Texas $99,240Delaware $98,910Montana $98,440North Carolina $97,850Maine $97,680Oklahoma $97,580Hawaii $97,570Vermont $97,470Illinois $96,670Wisconsin $96,540New Mexico $95,940Georgia $95,490Idaho $94,650Missouri $92,750Nebraska $92,580Indiana $92,330South Dakota $92,210Florida $91,980Utah $91,120North Dakota $90,530Ohio $88,990Rhode Island $86,910Arkansas $86,760Louisiana $85,240Wyoming $85,130South Carolina $84,340Iowa $84,010Michigan $83,790Pennsylvania $80,610Kentucky $78,830West Virginia $73,840Mississippi $67,280Alabama $61,160
Working as a Dental Hygienist in Tennessee
Nationally, about 223,000 people work as Dental Hygienists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($84,640) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in Tennessee?
The median Dental Hygienist salary in Tennessee is $84,640 per year, or about $40.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,190 at the entry level to $98,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Dental Hygienists about 14% less than the national median of $98,100. Tennessee ranks 42nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Dental Hygienists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $84,640 a year. About 4,570 Dental Hygienists are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Dental Hygienist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.