BLS wage data · May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Tennessee
Dental hygienists in Tennessee earn a median of $84,640 a year, or $40.69 an hour (BLS, May 2025). That's 14% less than the national median of $98,100, and ranks 42nd among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Tennessee dental hygienist pay range
Half of dental hygienists in Tennessee earn between $80,380 and $94,240 a year. The bottom 10% earn less than $76,190, and the top 10% earn more than $98,300. BLS doesn't track starting pay, so the lower percentiles are the best guide to entry-level salary.
- 10th percentile
- $76,190
- Bottom 10% earn less
- 25th percentile
- $80,380
- Bottom 25% earn less
- Median
- $84,640
- Half earn more, half less
- 75th percentile
- $94,240
- Top 25% earn more
- 90th percentile
- $98,300
- Top 10% earn more
- Median annual
- $84,640
- $40.69 an hour
- Average (mean)
- $87,420
- $42.03 an hour
- vs US median
- −14%
- US: $98,100
- Pay rank
- 42nd
- of 50 with May 2025 data
How Tennessee compares with nearby states
Five of eight nearby states pay more than Tennessee. Virginia pays the most ($102,950).
| State | Median / year | vs US | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $102,950 | +5% | 12th |
| North Carolina | $97,850 | 0% | 20th |
| Georgia | $95,490 | −3% | 28th |
| Missouri | $92,750 | −5% | 30th |
| Arkansas | $86,760 | −12% | 39th |
| Tennessee | $84,640 | −14% | 42nd |
| Kentucky | $78,830 | −20% | 47th |
| Mississippi | $67,280 | −31% | 49th |
| Alabama | $61,160 | −38% | 50th |
Median pay, BLS OEWS. Rank 1 = highest median pay among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. See all states.
Dental hygienist jobs in Tennessee
- Employed
- 4,570
- 16th most of 50 with May 2025 data
- Per 1,000 jobs
- 1.4
- Of all jobs in Tennessee
- Location quotient
- 0.97
- 1.00 = US average
About 1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in Tennessee are dental hygienist jobs.
For the size of its workforce, Tennessee has about the same share of dental hygienist jobs as the US overall (location quotient 0.97).
Many dental hygienists work part time, and some work for more than one dentist (BLS). Temping is another way to pick up shifts: see how temp and PRN work pays.
Schools, license, and CE in Tennessee
- Schools
Dental hygiene schools in Tennessee
Tennessee has 10 dental hygiene programs at 10 schools.
Compare programs - License
How to become a dental hygienist in Tennessee
Exams, application steps, and board links for licensure in Tennessee.
See license steps - CE
Tennessee CE requirements
30 hours every 2 years. See required topics and renewal rules.
See CE rules
Tennessee dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Tennessee?
Dental hygienists in Tennessee earn a median of $84,640 a year ($40.69 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025. The average (mean) is $87,420. That's 14% less than the national median of $98,100.
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly wage in Tennessee is $40.69 and the mean is $42.03 (BLS, May 2025). Nationally, the May 2025 median is $47.16 an hour.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists in Tennessee?
BLS doesn't publish starting salaries. The closest guide is the low end of the range: in Tennessee, 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $76,190 a year and 25% earn less than $80,380.
How does Tennessee rank for dental hygienist pay?
By median pay, Tennessee ranks 42nd among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data (−14% vs the US median). Five of eight nearby states pay more than Tennessee. Virginia pays the most ($102,950). See every state
How many dental hygienists work in Tennessee?
About 4,570 dental hygienists work in Tennessee (BLS, May 2025). That's the 16th most of the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. About 1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in Tennessee are dental hygienist jobs.
How do I become a dental hygienist in Tennessee?
To become a dental hygienist in Tennessee, you graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the NBDHE and the ADEX or CRDTS clinical exam, pass the Tennessee jurisprudence exam, and apply to the Tennessee Department of Health. See the full steps, exams accepted, and board links. Tennessee license steps
Sources and method
- BLS OEWS: Tennessee, May 2025. All occupations for the state; Dental Hygienists is SOC 29-1292
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). National and state estimates, May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists. Licensing and work schedule facts
- Data retrieved September 28, 2026. BLS publishes new wage estimates once a year.
- Annual pay is hourly pay times 2,080 hours. Employment excludes self-employed workers and is rounded by BLS.
- Rank and “vs US” are computed from BLS medians; percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent. Ranks cover the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Jobs in BrushNotes
Find dental hygienist jobs in Tennessee
Search dental hygienist jobs by ZIP code, including temp and PRN listings where available, and track your Tennessee CE for license renewal in the same account.