Tennessee Median
$215,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$103.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $170,950
State Rank
#4 of 47
2,200 employed here
How much does a Dentist, General make in Tennessee?
A Dentist, General working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $215,290 per year, or about $103.50 per hour. That is 26% above the national median of $170,950 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $84,360 while the top 10% make $311,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $133,710 and $269,120 a year.
Dentist, General salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,360 | $40.56 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $133,710 | $64.28 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $215,290 | $103.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $269,120 | $129.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $311,900 | $149.95 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 4th out of 47 states and territories for Dentist, General pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dentist, General salary in other states
Alaska $230,990North Dakota $220,660Minnesota $219,200Oregon $211,690Maine $209,200North Carolina $207,000Georgia $206,760Missouri $204,960Vermont $204,960Virginia $197,110Arizona $194,180Wisconsin $193,690New York $183,060Massachusetts $181,600Iowa $181,520Nebraska $179,750Arkansas $178,930New Hampshire $177,480Florida $174,900New Jersey $171,330Louisiana $170,750West Virginia $170,370Michigan $169,930Washington $169,730Maryland $168,500Hawaii $167,820Ohio $167,410Montana $167,200Indiana $166,650Colorado $166,240Oklahoma $166,170California $165,950Pennsylvania $163,390Texas $162,360Nevada $162,200Rhode Island $161,560Connecticut $160,440South Carolina $158,640South Dakota $158,140Illinois $156,110New Mexico $155,260Mississippi $143,660Kentucky $134,160Utah $133,320Idaho $124,190Wyoming $123,830
Working as a Dentist, General in Tennessee
Nationally, about 124,000 people work as Dentists, General in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($215,290) 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 Dentist, General make in Tennessee?
The median Dentist, General salary in Tennessee is $215,290 per year, or about $103.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $84,360 at the entry level to $311,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Dentists, General about 26% more than the national median of $170,950. Tennessee ranks 4th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Dentists, General?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $215,290 a year. About 2,200 Dentists, General are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Dentist, General 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.