Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $42.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Knoxville, TN runs $42.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,821 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,290 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist hourly pay in Knoxville, Tennessee, is projected to be $42.70, which falls below the national hourly median of $49.49. This hourly rate has significant implications for part-time and per diem dental hygienists who may find themselves working in diverse settings such as general dental offices, periodontal suites, and pediatric clinics. For example, a dental hygienist working three days a week could expect to earn around $4,800 monthly, which translates to a substantial annual income, albeit still under the compensation typically seen in high-cost areas. The hourly rate range for dental hygienists in Knoxville spans from $41.06 for entry-level positions to $49.29 for seasoned professionals at the top of their field, thus allowing for varying income levels based on experience and setting.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.06 | $328.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.55 | $340.43 |
| Median (P50) | $42.70 | $341.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.22 | $377.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.29 | $394.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $42.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.70/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $88,816 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,240. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,708.00 | $7,401 | $88,816 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,024.80 | $4,441 | $53,290 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $683.20 | $2,961 | $35,526 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Knoxville) | $42.70 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $88,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.72% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% above the Tennessee state average of $86,067.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.70/hr = $53,290/year (purchasing power: $57,568).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,816/year (purchasing power: $95,946).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.70/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Knoxville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Knoxville grew 18.6% from $34.31/hr (2020) to $40.69/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.81/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Looking at the landscape for part-time dental hygienists, those working just 24 hours a week in Knoxville can take home approximately $60,000 annually, a respectable figure when considering the flexibility that part-time work provides. Per diem or agency dental hygienists in Knoxville often navigate a different compensation model; while local rates typically hover around $40-$60 per hour, opportunities in more expensive metropolitan areas can yield $60-$85 per hour. The types of employers also influence compensation, with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offering competitive rates for those willing to sacrifice some autonomy for steady health benefits. Solo practices might not match DSO pay but can provide a more personalized work environment. Negotiation in Knoxville can hinge on whether candidates prioritize immediate pay over long-term benefits like health insurance, making it crucial to weigh both options carefully.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Knoxville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Knoxville?
Are dental hygienists in Knoxville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Knoxville?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Knoxville?
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 Knoxville. 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