Dental Hygienist Salary in La Vergne, TN: $82,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in La Vergne, TN earns a median $82,189/year (≈ $39.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in La Vergne's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $89,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Vergne, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $82,189, reflecting a competitive position in the local healthcare market. This figure falls below the national median, which is $102,946, highlighting the cost-of-living adjustments and local economic factors at play. Salaries for dental hygienists in this area show a range from $66,286 at the lower end (P10) to $102,112 at the higher end (P90), providing a diverse landscape for earnings within the profession. The estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities, underscoring that while pay levels may be less than the national average, the income opportunities in La Vergne remain robust. A stable job market indicated by the employment of eight dental hygienists suggests a healthy demand for hygiene services within the community.
About the La Vergne Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($83,902) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,286 | $31.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,655 | $34.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,189 | $39.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,671 | $43.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,112 | $49.09 |
Median Salary Position
20.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Vergne
In La Vergne, TN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,826 (2026 est.). At $82,189, the local median is 20.16% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Vergne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Vergne Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
La Vergne median: $82,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Vergne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,062 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -20.16% less |
Dental Hygienists in La Vergne, TN earn a median of $82,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.16% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $86,062.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Vergne 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.
La Vergne, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $82,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,531 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$63,056
2025 BLS Actual
$78,320
2026 Current Est.
$82,189
2020–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in La Vergne (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $63,056 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,114 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,268 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,249 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Vergne metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.2% from $63,056 (2020) to $78,320 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,249 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,193 (36.78%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vergne 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) | $66,286 – $71,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,655 – $82,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,189 – $89,671 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,671 – $102,112 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in La Vergne
Looking deeper into the job market, the cost of living index in La Vergne stands at 91.8, indicating that residents typically experience lower expenses compared to the national average. This enhanced purchasing power allows dental hygienists to stretch their salaries further within the community. Among the local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen tend to offer higher pay and benefits than solo or small group practices, often incorporating production bonuses and sign-on incentives that can significantly boost overall compensation. The spread between lower and higher wages often stems from factors like workload, retention bonuses tied to patient recall, and the scheduling preferences of the hygienist. Those looking to maximize their salary in La Vergne should consider opportunities with DSOs, evaluate their work schedules against potential earnings, and remain informed about the evolving dynamics of pay structures in today's dental hygiene landscape.
More salary data for La Vergne, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in La Vergne, TN in 2026?
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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 $78,320 for dental hygienistsin the La Vergne 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 La Vergne 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