Dental Hygienist Salary in Morristown, TN: $85,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Morristown, TN earns a median $85,043/year (≈ $40.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Morristown's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $98,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morristown, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $85,043. This figure positions the city's salary landscape notably lower than the national median of $102,946 for the same period, highlighting a discrepancy that may influence local professionals' decisions regarding career opportunities. The salary range for dental hygienists here spans from $65,713 at the 10th percentile to $105,297 at the 90th percentile. These insights, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicate both the potential for high earnings and the realities of working within a smaller market like Morristown, shaping the choices of aspiring and current dental hygienists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,713 | $31.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,114 | $38.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,043 | $40.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,569 | $45.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,297 | $50.62 |
Median Salary Position
17.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morristown
In Morristown, TN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,584 (2026 est.). At $85,043, the local median is 17.39% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morristown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morristown Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Morristown median: $85,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morristown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,076 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.39% less |
Dental Hygienists in Morristown, TN earn a median of $85,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.39% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% below the Tennessee state average of $86,076.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morristown has a cost of living 13.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morristown, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.364 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $85,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,470 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.79% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$48,840
2025 BLS Actual
$81,040
2026 Current Est.
$85,043
2020–2027 Growth
+82.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Morristown (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $48,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,245 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morristown metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 65.9% from $48,840 (2020) to $81,040 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,405 (82.73%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown 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) | $65,713 – $79,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,114 – $85,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,043 – $95,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,569 – $105,297 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Morristown
The job market in Morristown features approximately 70 dental hygienists, reflecting a steady demand for their services. With a cost-of-living index of 86.364, the purchasing power of employees remains favorable, though salaries may not align completely with the national standards. Notably, different types of employers in the area—such as solo practices, multi-doctor group practices, and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental—often exhibit varied salary structures. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and differences in benefits between private offices and DSOs. In this region, hygienists can maximize their income potential by seeking employment with DSOs, which typically offer stronger benefits and may also provide sign-on bonuses to attract new talent. Understanding the local market dynamics and actively pursuing opportunities aligned with these trends can be critical for enhancing dental hygienist pay in Morristown, TN.
More salary data for Morristown, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Morristown, TN in 2026?
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Morristown?
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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 $81,040 for dental hygienistsin the Morristown 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
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