Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $47.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Nashville, TN runs $47.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,675 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,209 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, the dental hygienist hourly pay reaches a median of $47.44, slightly below the national average of $49.49. This hourly rate presents a favorable opportunity for those seeking part-time positions or per-diem work in various dental settings, including general practices, specialty clinics, and mobile health units. With a range from $40.45 at the lower end (P10) to $49.71 for top earners (P90), dental hygienists in TN can find flexible work schedules that suit their lifestyle. For those working three days a week, the earning potential is significant, allowing them to benefit from the robust demand for dental hygienists in the state while enjoying a balance between personal and professional life.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.45 | $323.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.55 | $324.39 |
| Median (P50) | $47.44 | $379.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.20 | $393.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.71 | $397.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $47.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.44/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $98,682 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,932. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,897.73 | $8,224 | $98,682 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,138.64 | $4,934 | $59,209 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $759.09 | $3,289 | $39,473 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Nashville) | $47.44 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Nashville, TN earn a median of $98,675 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 14.70% above the Tennessee state average of $86,029.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.44/hr = $59,209/year (purchasing power: $61,460).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,682/year (purchasing power: $102,433).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.44/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+59.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Nashville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Nashville grew 44.6% from $31.26/hr (2020) to $45.21/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.79/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Nashville
Examining part-time opportunities, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week can expect to earn around $49,650 annually, which could be attractive for individuals looking to work around family commitments or additional jobs. Meanwhile, per diem dental hygienists can earn varying rates through temp agencies, typically falling between $40 to $60 per hour, with larger cities commanding higher pay scales for urgent staffing needs. The hourly rates also differ significantly depending on the employer—solo practices may offer lower wages compared to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialty offices, where demand can lead to more competitive offers. Some hygienists may choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, which are commonly absent in per diem roles. Successful negotiation strategies often involve emphasizing one’s clinical abilities and adaptability to secure higher pay, particularly in a vibrant market like Nashville, where skilled dental hygienists are in high demand.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Nashville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov