Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $39.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Memphis, TN runs $39.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,462 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,479 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Memphis, TN, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median of $39.65, considerably lower than the national median of $49.49 per hour. This disparity in wages presents potential challenges for those considering part-time employment or per diem roles. A typical part-time schedule of three days a week equates to roughly 24 hours of work, which can vary significantly depending on the setting—whether in general dentistry operatories, pediatric specialty offices, or mobile health clinics. The hourly range spans from $36.40 for entry-level positions to about $60.40 for the highest earners in the field, reflecting the diverse opportunities available across various healthcare environments in the Memphis area. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected to 2026, providing an accurate snapshot of the current and future opportunities for dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.40 | $291.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.28 | $306.26 |
| Median (P50) | $39.65 | $317.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.57 | $372.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.40 | $483.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis
Based on $39.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.65/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $82,464 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,576. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Memphis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,585.85 | $6,872 | $82,464 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $951.51 | $4,123 | $49,479 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $634.34 | $2,749 | $32,986 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Memphis) | $39.65 |
| 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 Memphis, TN earn a median of $82,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.90% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.20% below the Tennessee state average of $86,077.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.65/hr = $49,479/year (purchasing power: $53,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,464/year (purchasing power: $89,461).
CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$30.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.65/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Memphis (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Memphis grew 25.0% from $30.22/hr (2020) to $37.78/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.60/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 Memphis 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 Memphis
Looking beyond the basic hourly pay, part-time dental hygienists working 24 hours a week may expect an annual take-home substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Working on a per diem basis often provides flexibility; however, it's essential to understand that pay rates in Memphis for temporary or locum positions typically align from $40 to $60 per hour. In larger metropolitan areas like San Francisco or New York City, similar roles command even higher wages, often exceeding $60 per hour. In Memphis, variations in hourly rates are common depending on the employer type; for instance, those in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may have differing compensation structures compared to solo practices or county health departments. While higher hourly rates may be appealing, making a trade-off for lower-paying positions with employee benefits can be beneficial. It is advisable for dental hygienists to engage in open discussions about compensation, factoring in the full range of benefits offered, to secure an arrangement that aligns with their financial needs and professional goals in the Memphis dental market.
More salary data for Memphis, 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
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 Memphis. 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