Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Mount Juliet, TN: $39.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Mount Juliet, TN runs $39.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,362 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Mount Juliet's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,413 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mount Juliet, dental hygienists earn an hourly median pay of $39.59, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This discrepancy highlights how local factors, such as the cost of living indexed at 91.8, can influence wages in the healthcare sector. For those working part-time, like a dental hygienist averaging three days a week, the hourly pay translates into a flexible income that supports a balanced work-life rhythm. The hourly rate can range from $32.03 for entry-level positions to $49.26 for highly experienced professionals in this field. Many dental hygienists find employment in settings that include general dentistry practices, pediatric offices, and public health clinics, each influencing their earning potential.
About the Mount Juliet 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) | $32.03 | $256.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.63 | $277.04 |
| Median (P50) | $39.59 | $316.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.18 | $353.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.26 | $394.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mount Juliet
Based on $39.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.59/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mount Juliet, TN can expect to earn approximately $82,355 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,513. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mount Juliet.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mount Juliet
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,583.75 | $6,863 | $82,355 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.25 | $4,118 | $49,413 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.50 | $2,745 | $32,942 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Mount Juliet) | $39.59 |
| 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 Mount Juliet, TN earn a median of $82,362 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.99% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $86,063.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.59/hr = $49,413/year (purchasing power: $53,827).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,355/year (purchasing power: $89,712).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$30.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.59/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Mount Juliet (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Mount Juliet grew 24.2% from $30.38/hr (2020) to $37.73/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.55/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 Mount Juliet 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 Mount Juliet
The earning potential for dental hygienists working part-time in Mount Juliet contrasts sharply with their full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time dental hygienist clocking 24 hours a week might see significant annual earnings, which is appealing for those seeking flexibility over a full 40-hour work week. The per diem dental hygienist pay in Mount Juliet can sometimes approach the upper end of the scale seen in large metro areas; however, most agencies pay between $40 to $60 per hour. This variable pay aligns closely with the type of practice, as dental hygienists in solo practices might offer lower rates compared to those in group practices or corporate-backed organizations like Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). The choice between accepting a higher hourly wage without benefits versus lower pay with health insurance is a common trade-off in the industry. Practicing skills in hourly negotiations, particularly about benefits and conditions, can yield better results. Therefore, understanding the local employment landscape in Mount Juliet is crucial for dental hygienists looking to maximize their earnings potential.
More salary data for Mount Juliet, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Mount Juliet in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Mount Juliet?
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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 Mount Juliet. 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 Mount Juliet 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