Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Brentwood, TN: $39.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Brentwood, TN runs $39.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,011 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Brentwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,806 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brentwood, Tennessee, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $39.91, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This hourly rate provides a solid income for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, who can expect to earn a reliable wage while enjoying a more flexible work schedule. Per-diem roles are also prevalent in the field, allowing hygienists to work as needed across various settings, including general dentistry practices, specialized periodontal offices, pediatric exam rooms, mobile clinics, and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). With the hourly range spanning from $32.84 at the lower end to $50.35 for top earners, these numbers reveal potential earning variances depending on experience and employment type in Brentwood. The hourly estimates are derived from annual salaries, reflecting the trajectory of dental hygiene professions in the region.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($83,902) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.84 | $262.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.39 | $275.11 |
| Median (P50) | $39.91 | $319.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.00 | $352.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.35 | $402.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brentwood
Based on $39.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.91/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brentwood, TN can expect to earn approximately $83,010 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,890. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brentwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brentwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,596.35 | $6,918 | $83,010 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $957.81 | $4,151 | $49,806 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $638.54 | $2,767 | $33,204 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Brentwood) | $39.91 |
| 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 Brentwood, TN earn a median of $83,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.36% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.50% below the Tennessee state average of $86,021.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.91/hr = $49,806/year (purchasing power: $54,255).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,010/year (purchasing power: $90,425).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$30.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.91/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brentwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Brentwood grew 24.2% from $30.62/hr (2020) to $38.03/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.88/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 Brentwood 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 Brentwood
Analyzing the potential for part-time earnings, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week in Brentwood could realistically take home around $49,914 annually, significantly less than what full-time hygienists earn but still providing a comfortable income. In contrast, per diem dental hygienist pay in Brentwood can vary widely, with some agencies offering rates between $40 to $60 per hour, depending on demand and location, although major metropolitan areas may push those figures even higher. The type of employer also plays a key role in determining hourly rates; solo practices might offer different compensation compared to multi-doctor offices or DSOs, each with distinct employment perks. While some hygienists may prefer higher hourly wages, the trade-off could be access to benefits like health insurance, which could influence their job choices. For those negotiating pay, it's critical to consider the full compensation package, including any offered benefits, and to be aware of the local market trends in Brentwood to secure a favorable hourly rate.
More salary data for Brentwood, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Brentwood in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Brentwood?
Are dental hygienists in Brentwood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Brentwood?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Brentwood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Brentwood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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