Dental Hygienist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Dental Hygienists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $83,460 a year ($40.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,510 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $84,640. There are 1.7 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| 25th percentile | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| Median | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| 75th percentile | $92,710 | $44.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,510 | $46.88 |
| Average (mean) | $84,830 | $40.79 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,955 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,477.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,210 |
| Weekly | $1,605 |
| Hourly | $40.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $100,370 | 4,710 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $94,030 | 1,490 |
| Gainesville, GA | $92,840 | 160 |
| Hinesville, GA | $86,340 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $84,640 | 590 |
| Rome, GA | $83,200 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $82,870 | 210 |
| Jackson, TN | $82,750 | 110 |
| Dalton, GA | $82,010 | 100 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $81,830 | 130 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $81,470 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $81,260 | 200 |
| Morristown, TN | $81,040 | 70 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $80,240 | 240 |
| Johnson City, TN | $80,070 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $79,880 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $79,840 | 370 |
| Valdosta, GA | $79,360 | 100 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $79,260 | 120 |
| Albany, GA | $79,230 | 90 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $78,770 | 130 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,580 | 650 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Physicians, All Other | $429,900 | $206.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,960 | $46.14 |
| Dentists, General | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Veterinarian | $125,790 | $60.48 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | $58.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $264,690 | $127.26 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,200 | $140.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $83,460 a year, or $40.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $97,510 a year. The top 25% earn $92,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,780 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $80,950 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 460 dental hygienists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.