As of 2012, there were 3,460 dental hygienists employed in Tennessee, although that number is set to grow in the next eight years. By the year 2022, nearly 4,500 dental hygienists are expected to be employed in Tennessee, an increase of 29%. This increase ranks 14th when compared to the rest of the country. The employment ratio in the state is a healthy 1.26 dental hygienists for every one thousand residents. There are 190 job openings expected each year through 2022 for dental hygienists in Tennessee.
Salary Breakdown for Dental Hygienists in Tennessee
According to the Tennessee Career Center, the annual salaries and hourly wages for various experience levels of dental hygienists break down this way:
- Entry level positions: $46,787/year ($22.50/hour)
- Mid-level positions: $64,216/year ($30.85/hour)
- Experienced level positions: $70,569/year ($33.95/hour)
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The average annual salary for dental hygienists is a bit higher than the state median, at $62,640.
Dental hygienists are under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, along with dentists and dental assistants. The board is responsible for licensing, disciplining, and ensuring that all dental hygienists are up to appropriate professional standards.
More in depth salary information for geographical regions in Tennessee can be found on the following table, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2013):