Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $42.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Chattanooga, TN runs $42.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,583 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,543 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, TN, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $42.10 in 2026, a figure that is noticeably below the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This lower rate affects not only full-time hygienists but also those considering part-time or per-diem positions. For instance, a dental hygienist working three days a week can expect to earn approximately $1,606 per week before taxes, translating to around $83,511 annually. The hourly pay can range from $31.67 for entry-level positions to $49.20 for those at the top of the pay scale, providing opportunities for both newcomers and seasoned professionals across diverse environments such as general dentistry offices and public health clinics. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.67 | $253.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.84 | $326.74 |
| Median (P50) | $42.10 | $336.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.77 | $374.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.20 | $393.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $42.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.10/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $87,572 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,522. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,684.08 | $7,298 | $87,572 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,010.45 | $4,379 | $52,543 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $673.63 | $2,919 | $35,029 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Chattanooga) | $42.10 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $87,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.80% above the Tennessee state average of $86,034.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.10/hr = $52,543/year (purchasing power: $57,447).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,572/year (purchasing power: $95,745).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.10/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Chattanooga (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Chattanooga grew 27.9% from $31.37/hr (2020) to $40.12/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.18/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Opting for part-time work in Chattanooga can yield a different financial picture compared to full-time employment. A three-day-a-week schedule may offer a stable income that some hygienists find appealing, especially when opting for lower-paying positions that provide benefits, such as health insurance. Meanwhile, per diem dental hygienists can anticipate hourly rates ranging from $40 to $60 through temp agencies, although those commuting to high-cost-of-living areas like San Francisco or New York may see rates climbing even higher. In Chattanooga, varying employer types also influence pay structures; dental service organizations (DSOs) often provide more competitive wages due to their scale, while solo practices may offer lower hourly rates but potentially greater flexibility. When negotiating hourly pay, it's crucial for dental hygienists to consider their specific needs and benefits, seeking positions that align with both their financial and personal goals.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Chattanooga?
Are dental hygienists in Chattanooga paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Chattanooga?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Chattanooga?
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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 Chattanooga. 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