Dental Hygienist Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $84,433 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $84,433/year (≈ $40.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $91,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the local job market for dental hygienists features a workforce of just six individuals, suggesting a niche but potentially growing sector in dental hygiene. The projected median annual salary in 2026 stands at $84,433, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946, reflecting a difference of 17.98%. Salaries vary within the community, with a range that spans from $64,519 at the 10th percentile to $109,302 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicate a competitive pay structure that requires careful consideration for hygiene professionals entering the field in Oak Ridge.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($83,902) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,519 | $31.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,232 | $34.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,433 | $40.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,632 | $44.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,302 | $52.55 |
Median Salary Position
17.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,783 (2026 est.). At $84,433, the local median is 17.98% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $84,433/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,068 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.98% less |
Dental Hygienists in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $84,433 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.98% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $86,068.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge 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.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,433 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,975 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$64,778
2025 BLS Actual
$80,458
2026 Current Est.
$84,433
2020–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Oak Ridge (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $64,778 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,083 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,268 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,575 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,588 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,458 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,433 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,604 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.2% from $64,778 (2020) to $80,458 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,826 (36.78%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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) | $64,519 – $71,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,232 – $84,433 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,433 – $91,632 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,632 – $109,302 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Oak Ridge
The cost of living index in Oak Ridge is recorded at 91.8, slightly below the national average. This lower index can enhance purchasing power, helping dental hygienists stretch their earnings further. In the local context, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide more lucrative compensation packages than traditional solo practices, due to higher patient volumes and the availability of incentives like production-based bonuses. Additionally, factors such as the scheduling structure—whether a practitioner works four or five days a week—can greatly influence compensation. To maximize pay in this market, professionals should seek employment with DSOs that offer comprehensive benefits and enrollment incentives as part of their employment strategy, capitalizing on growing demands for dental hygiene services in the region.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Oak Ridge, TN in 2026?
Is Oak Ridge, TN a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Oak Ridge?
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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 $80,458 for dental hygienistsin the Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge 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