What the numbers say
Dental Hygienists in Tennessee earned a median annual wage of $81,810 in 2024, roughly 13% below the US median of $94,162. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
Tennessee's cost of living runs about 7.5% below the national average. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective gap narrows to somewhere around 6%. A hygienist earning the state median here has meaningfully more purchasing power than the raw dollar difference suggests.
The spread from bottom to top earners is tighter than in many other health occupations. The 10th percentile came in at $65,460 and the 90th at $97,460, a difference of about $32,000. Compare that to the 25th-percentile figure of $75,730 and the 75th of $92,840, and the picture that emerges is a mid-range cluster: most hygienists in Tennessee land somewhere in a fairly compressed band. That compression can mean less upside for the most experienced practitioners, but it also means entry-level pay is not as far below the median as it is in states with wider spreads.
BLS projects employment for Dental Hygienists to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, a rate classified as faster than average. Tennessee had about 4,550 hygienists employed in 2024, so even modest growth translates to a steady flow of openings over the next decade.
Salary distribution
Where Tennessee dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $75,730 and $92,840, with a median of $81,810.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Tennessee
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Tennessee over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Finger Dexterity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record and review patient medical histories.
- 02
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- 03
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- 04
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- 05
Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- 06
Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- 07
Expose and develop x-ray film.
- 08
Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Tennessee is $81,810.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Tennessee median is -13.1% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Tennessee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,460 and the 90th-percentile at $97,460, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Dental Hygienists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Dental Hygienists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.