Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Tullahoma, TN: $38.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Tullahoma, TN runs $38.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,511 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Tullahoma's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,711 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tullahoma, TN, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $38.23, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This discrepancy highlights how local factors, including the cost of living index at 91.8—which is below the national average—affect compensation in the dental hygiene field. With a pay range from $31.70 at the entry-level to $45.90 for the top 10% of earners, opportunities exist for both part-time positions and per-diem work in various clinical environments. Dental hygienists typically find employment in general dentistry offices, specialty clinics like pediatric and periodontal practices, and public health settings. These settings often offer flexible schedules that can be appealing for those pursuing per diem dental hygienist pay in Tullahoma.
About the Tullahoma Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($83,902) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.70 | $253.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.91 | $263.27 |
| Median (P50) | $38.23 | $305.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.98 | $327.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.90 | $367.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tullahoma
Based on $38.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.23/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tullahoma, TN can expect to earn approximately $79,518 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,876. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tullahoma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tullahoma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,529.19 | $6,626 | $79,518 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $917.51 | $3,976 | $47,711 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $611.67 | $2,651 | $31,807 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Tullahoma) | $38.23 |
| 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 Tullahoma, TN earn a median of $79,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.76% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.60% below the Tennessee state average of $86,051.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.23/hr = $47,711/year (purchasing power: $51,972).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,518/year (purchasing power: $86,621).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.23/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Tullahoma (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Tullahoma grew 24.2% from $29.33/hr (2020) to $36.43/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.12/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 Tullahoma 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 Tullahoma
For those working part-time, such as a standard 3-day work week comprising 24 hours, the annual earnings can be significantly less than full-time counterparts. A part-time dental hygienist in Tullahoma would bring home approximately $47,450 a year, which can be attractive for those not seeking full-time commitments. However, many hygienists may also consider per-diem or agency positions, where rates often start at $40 and can go up to $60 an hour. In areas with a higher cost of living, those figures can escalate to $60-85. As pay varies greatly based on employer types—ranging from solo practices to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs)—hygienists must weigh the benefits of steady hours and health insurance against the higher hourly pay that comes without benefits. Negotiation is key; discussing work conditions and pay structures can sometimes yield better offers, especially in growing markets within Tullahoma.
More salary data for Tullahoma, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Tullahoma in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Tullahoma?
Are dental hygienists in Tullahoma paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Tullahoma?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Tullahoma?
Related Pages
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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 Tullahoma. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tullahoma 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