Dental Hygienist Pay

Mount Juliet vs Nashville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Mount Juliet, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mount Juliet, TN
$82,362
$39.59/hr
Nashville, TN
$98,675
$47.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMount Juliet, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$82,362$98,675
Hourly Rate$39.59$47.44
Entry Level (P10)$66,621$84,130
25th Percentile$72,031$84,351
75th Percentile$91,900$102,327
Top Earner (P90)$102,455$103,397
Total Employed91,490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mount Juliet ($82,362) and Nashville ($98,675) dental hygienist salaries.Mount JulietNashvilleMedian Salary$82,362$98,675Entry Level (P10)$66,621$84,130Top Earner (P90)$102,455$103,397US Median $102,946

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Juliet.

The salary gap between Mount Juliet and Nashville is $16,313 (19.81%). Nashville's median is -4.15% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mount Juliet spans $35,834,Nashville spans $19,267. Mount Juliet has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mount Juliet
P10 (Entry)$66,621
P25$72,031
Median$82,362
P75$91,900
P90 (Top)$102,455
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$84,130
P25$84,351
Median$98,675
P75$102,327
P90 (Top)$103,397

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($102,426 effective) pays 14.16% more than Mount Juliet ($89,719 effective).

Mount Juliet
Nominal: $82,362
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $89,719
Nashville
Nominal: $98,675
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $102,426

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mount Juliet if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,675/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,397)
  • Larger job market (1,490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,426)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Mount Juliet grew 24.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 44.6% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Mount Juliet, TN

+24.2%

$63,189 (2020) → $78,485 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+44.6%

$65,020 (2020) → $94,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Mount Juliet or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $98,675/year, compared to Mount Juliet at $82,362/year — a difference of $16,313 (19.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mount Juliet and Nashville?

Mount Juliet dental hygienists earn $39.59/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $47.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mount Juliet to Nashville as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mount Juliet and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mount Juliet = $89,719, Nashville = $102,426), job availability (9 vs 1,490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Mount Juliet vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $66,621 in Mount Juliet and $84,130 in Nashville. The Nashville 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