Salary distribution
Where Tennessee dentists, general fall on the wage curve.
Distribution not available
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.
Dentists, General 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
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 5.0 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Finger Dexterity
Ability
- 4.2 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Inductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
- 02
Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- 03
Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- 04
Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
- 05
Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
- 06
Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
- 07
Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
- 08
Advise or instruct patients regarding preventive dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, or oral health care services.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dentists, General in Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dentists, General in Tennessee is $154,460.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Dentists, General?
- The Tennessee median is -9.2% versus the BLS national figure of $170,118.
- Is Dentists, General a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Dentists, General?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional 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.