Dental Hygienist Salary in Bartlett, TN: $86,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bartlett, TN earns a median $86,548/year (≈ $41.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bartlett's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $94,279 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bartlett, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists is $86,548, reflecting a significant gap of nearly 15.93% when compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this role in the area varies substantially, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $65,115 and the top 10% making as much as $107,614. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living, highlight the competitive nature of the industry given Bartlett's lower cost-of-living index of 91.8 compared to the national average. With solid job prospects fueled by a growth rate of 4.94% annually, the dental hygienist profession continues to thrive in Bartlett, TN, driven by community demand for preventative dental care.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($83,902) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,115 | $31.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,371 | $34.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,548 | $41.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,826 | $46.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,614 | $51.74 |
Median Salary Position
15.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlett
In Bartlett, TN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,499 (2026 est.). At $86,548, the local median is 15.93% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bartlett: You'd be above the median
How Bartlett Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bartlett median: $86,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,032 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -15.93% less |
Dental Hygienists in Bartlett, TN earn a median of $86,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.93% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.60% above the Tennessee state average of $86,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlett has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bartlett, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $86,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,279 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$66,401
2025 BLS Actual
$82,474
2026 Current Est.
$86,548
2020–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bartlett (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $66,401 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,939 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,154 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,494 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,824 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlett metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.2% from $66,401 (2020) to $82,474 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,824 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,423 (36.78%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlett 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,115 – $72,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,371 – $86,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,548 – $95,826 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,826 – $107,614 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bartlett
The local job market supports around 13 dental hygienists, reflecting a stable yet competitive environment for new entrants into the field. This number indicates a healthy demand, but it also suggests a tight labor market where exceptional pay opportunities can be attained through strategic choices. Employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) are likely to offer higher compensation packages, including benefits that may be less common in private practices. The pay spread in Bartlett can be influenced by production-based bonuses, with higher remuneration often associated with schedules that span four days in private practices versus five-day commitments. For dental hygienists aiming to maximize their pay in Bartlett, aligning with a DSO and negotiating on sign-on bonuses or benefits may be key. Additionally, pursuing continuing education and specialization might enhance job prospects and potential earnings in this evolving work environment.
More salary data for Bartlett, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,474 for dental hygienistsin the Bartlett metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bartlett 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