Dental Hygienist Pay

Knoxville vs Maryville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Knoxville, TN and Maryville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$88,821
$42.70/hr
Maryville, TN
$81,715
$39.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMaryville, TN
Median Salary$88,821$81,715
Hourly Rate$42.70$39.29
Entry Level (P10)$85,400$65,137
25th Percentile$88,506$70,676
75th Percentile$98,213$88,605
Top Earner (P90)$102,526$100,623
Total Employed5906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($88,821) and Maryville ($81,715) dental hygienist salaries.KnoxvilleMaryvilleMedian Salary$88,821$81,715Entry Level (P10)$85,400$65,137Top Earner (P90)$102,526$100,623US Median $102,946

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Maryville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Maryville is $7,106 (8.70%). Knoxville's median is -13.72% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $17,126,Maryville spans $35,486. Maryville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$85,400
P25$88,506
Median$88,821
P75$98,213
P90 (Top)$102,526
Maryville
P10 (Entry)$65,137
P25$70,676
Median$81,715
P75$88,605
P90 (Top)$100,623

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($95,951 effective) pays 7.79% more than Maryville ($89,014 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $88,821
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $95,951
Maryville
Nominal: $81,715
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $89,014

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,821/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,526)
  • Larger job market (590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,951)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Maryville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Knoxville grew 18.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 24.2% growth in Maryville over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+18.6%

$71,370 (2020) → $84,640 (2025)

Maryville, TN

+24.2%

$62,692 (2020) → $77,868 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Knoxville or Maryville?

Knoxville has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $88,821/year, compared to Maryville at $81,715/year — a difference of $7,106 (8.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Maryville?

Knoxville dental hygienists earn $42.70/hr while Maryville hygienists earn $39.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Maryville as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Maryville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $95,951, Maryville = $89,014), job availability (590 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Knoxville vs Maryville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $85,400 in Knoxville and $65,137 in Maryville. The Knoxville 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