Dental Hygienist Pay

Memphis vs Morristown: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Memphis, TN and Morristown, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Memphis, TN
$82,462
$39.65/hr
Morristown, TN
$85,043
$40.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMemphis, TNMorristown, TN
Median Salary$82,462$85,043
Hourly Rate$39.65$40.88
Entry Level (P10)$75,714$65,713
25th Percentile$79,618$79,114
75th Percentile$96,870$95,569
Top Earner (P90)$125,634$105,297
Total Employed65070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Memphis ($82,462) and Morristown ($85,043) dental hygienist salaries.MemphisMorristownMedian Salary$82,462$85,043Entry Level (P10)$75,714$65,713Top Earner (P90)$125,634$105,297US Median $102,946

Verdict

Memphis and Morristown are closely matched on overall dental hygienist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Memphis and Morristown is $2,581 (3.13%). Morristown's median is -17.39% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Memphis spans $49,920,Morristown spans $39,584. Memphis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Memphis
P10 (Entry)$75,714
P25$79,618
Median$82,462
P75$96,870
P90 (Top)$125,634
Morristown
P10 (Entry)$65,713
P25$79,114
Median$85,043
P75$95,569
P90 (Top)$105,297

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Morristown ($98,470 effective) pays 10.07% more than Memphis ($89,459 effective).

Memphis
Nominal: $82,462
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $89,459
Morristown
Nominal: $85,043
CoL Index: 86.364
Adjusted: $98,470

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Memphis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($125,634)
  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Morristown if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,043/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,470)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Memphis grew 25.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 65.9% growth in Morristown over the same period.

Memphis, TN

+25.0%

$62,870 (2020) → $78,580 (2025)

Morristown, TN

+65.9%

$48,840 (2020) → $81,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Memphis or Morristown?

Morristown has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $85,043/year, compared to Memphis at $82,462/year — a difference of $2,581 (3.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Memphis and Morristown?

Memphis dental hygienists earn $39.65/hr while Morristown hygienists earn $40.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Memphis to Morristown as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Memphis and Morristown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Memphis = $89,459, Morristown = $98,470), job availability (650 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Memphis vs Morristown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $75,714 in Memphis and $65,713 in Morristown. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov