Pay by state / Tennessee
TN · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Tennessee
Tennessee's 4,570 dental hygienists earned a mean of $87,420 in May 2025, 12% below the US mean and number 39 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $210,700 (+10% against the US), and orthodontists $302,050. Dental assistants earned $49,670.
- 1Dental hygienists $87,420
- 2General dentists $210,700
- 3Orthodontists $302,050
- 4Dental assistants $49,670
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | TN mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | – | – | $302,050 | $259,400 | +16% |
| General dentists | 2,200 | 0.672 | $210,700 | $191,350 | +10% |
| Dental hygienists | 4,570 | 1.395 | $87,420 | $98,990 | -12% |
| Dental assistants | 7,420 | 2.263 | $49,670 | $50,200 | -1% |
How Tennessee ranks
- Orthodontists: number 7 of 19 published states for mean pay ($302,050, median $339,610).
- General dentists: number 11 of 47 published states for mean pay ($210,700, median $215,290), with 0.672 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 39 of 50 published states for mean pay ($87,420, median $84,640), with 1.395 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 25 of 50 published states for mean pay ($49,670, median $46,720), with 2.263 per 1,000 jobs.
Tennessee and the East South Central division
Among the 4 East South Central jurisdictions with published figures, Tennessee ranks 1 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $84,640 and half less. The Census Bureau groups these states as a division, which makes a fairer comparison than the national figure when living costs differ by region.
| East South Central | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,850 | – | $41,710 |
| Kentucky | $78,950 | $157,630 | $48,440 |
| Mississippi | $68,630 | $149,300 | $42,910 |
| Tennessee | $87,420 | $210,700 | $49,670 |
Staffing in Tennessee
There are 2.1 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in Tennessee, more than the national ratio of about 1.8 — hygienists carry more of the routine work here. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $137,090 a year in their salaries alone, before benefits. Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in Tennessee.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Tennessee earn 16% more than the US mean. Wages are one input to what practices charge, alongside rent, equipment and competition, so they explain only part of why quotes differ. Your quote is what matters: put it, your insurance's orthodontic benefit and your FSA or HSA plans into the calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files). “–” = not published by BLS. Checked 2026-10-24. Methodology.