Dental Hygienist Salary in Brentwood, TN: $83,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brentwood, TN earns a median $83,011/year (≈ $39.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $90,426 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected data indicates that dental hygienists in Brentwood, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $83,011 in 2026. When positioned alongside the national median earnings of $102,946, this figure reflects a significant disparity in real purchasing power, particularly considering the area's cost of living index, which is recorded at 91.8—below the national average. This salary range varies notably from $68,296 at the 10th percentile to $104,718 at the 90th percentile, suggesting there is a healthy spectrum of pay based on experience and skill level. These estimates provide insight based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and highlight both the opportunities and challenges faced by those in the dental hygiene field within Brentwood's working landscape.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($83,902) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,296 | $32.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,522 | $34.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,011 | $39.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,533 | $44.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,718 | $50.35 |
Median Salary Position
19.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, TN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,422 (2026 est.). At $83,011, the local median is 19.36% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $83,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,021 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -19.36% less |
Dental Hygienists in Brentwood, TN earn a median of $83,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.36% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.50% below the Tennessee state average of $86,021.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood 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.
Brentwood, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $83,011 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,426 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$63,686
2025 BLS Actual
$79,103
2026 Current Est.
$83,011
2020–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brentwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $63,686 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,835 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,285 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,406 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,103 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,111 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.2% from $63,686 (2020) to $79,103 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,425 (36.78%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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) | $68,296 – $71,522 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,522 – $83,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,011 – $91,533 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,533 – $104,718 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brentwood
The job market for dental hygienists in Brentwood encompasses a small pool of just seven professionals, placing an emphasis on specialized skills and the potential for advancement within this tight-knit community. The lower-than-average cost of living enhances the real value of the earnings dental hygienists receive, allowing for improved take-home purchasing power. Compensation within Brentwood can differ significantly based on practice type: multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) frequently offer higher salaries and benefits, including robust sign-on bonuses for new graduates. Factors such as production-based bonuses and varying schedules—like a four-day workweek—contribute to the salary spread, providing opportunities for those willing to negotiate their work contracts. For those seeking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Brentwood, TN, exploring employment with DSOs or understanding the dynamics of recall and retentive practices can create pathways for increased earnings and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Brentwood, 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 $79,103 for dental hygienistsin the Brentwood 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 Brentwood 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