Dental Hygienist salary in Knoxville, TN
Dental Hygienists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $84,640 a year ($40.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,700 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $84,640. There are 1.4 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,380 | $39.13 |
| 25th percentile | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Median | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| 75th percentile | $93,590 | $45.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Average (mean) | $87,100 | $41.88 |
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 | $7,053.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,526.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,255.38 |
| Weekly | $1,627.69 |
| Hourly | $40.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,640 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $94,030 | 1,490 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $83,460 | 460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $82,870 | 210 |
| Jackson, TN | $82,750 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $81,260 | 200 |
| Morristown, TN | $81,040 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $80,070 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $79,880 | 90 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $84,640 a year, or $40.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $97,700 a year. The top 25% earn $93,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,380 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $84,340 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 590 dental hygienists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.