90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Memphis, TN
Updated April 28, 2026

Dentist Salary in Memphis: $150K Median

Dentists in Memphis, TN earn between $114K and $251K per year.

That's -12% below the US national median of $170,910 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Memphis, TN is $150,401 per year — -12% below the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $114,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $250,800 (90th percentile). Dentists in Memphis earned approximately $22,788 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$150,401
+560.0% YoY · $12,533/mo
Entry
$123,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$220,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$250,800
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Memphis vs Nearby
Memphis
$150K
Nashville
$171K
-12% vs Memphis
El Paso
$145K
+4% vs Memphis
Tulsa
$150K
+0% vs Memphis

Free ATS scan · Memphis employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Dentists in Memphis

Dentists diagnose and treat oral health conditions through preventive care, fillings, extractions, and specialty procedures.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient examinations
  • Restorative procedures
  • Preventive care
  • Treatment planning
  • Practice management

Education & Certifications

Typical path: DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program)

In-demand certifications

DDS or DMDState dental licenseDEA registrationCPR

Memphis Job Market

Logistics capital home to FedEx headquarters with major healthcare presence.

Population
633K
Cost of Living
85
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Memphis

Logistics (FedEx)HealthcareManufacturingMusic/Tourism

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Memphis or hiring remotely from this metro.

Private practices (most)
Heartland Dental
Aspen Dental
Pacific Dental Services
Hospital systems

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Dentist listings.

Digital dentistryCosmetic proceduresPractice managementCAD/CAM (CEREC)Implants

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DDSpatient carerestorative dentistrypreventive careCERECpractice management
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+.

Dentist Salary Breakdown — Memphis

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$114,400$150,401$250,800
Monthly$9,533$12,533$20,900
Weekly$2,200$2,892$4,823
Hourly$55$72$121

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Memphis

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$113,456.084
Per month$9,455
Biweekly paycheck$4,364
Effective tax rate24.6%

Tax Breakdown on $150,401

Gross salary$150,401
Federal income tax−$25,439.24
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$11,505.677
Take-home (net)$113,456.084

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Dentist Salary by Experience — Memphis

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Memphis.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$113,344
2–3 yr$123,200
4–6 yr$171,600
7–10 yr$220,000
11–15 yr$259,600
15+ yr$235,400

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Memphis's 0.88× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,788
2026 median:$150,401
Change:+$127,613

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$176,942
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Memphis

Walk-away anchor: $136,728 (offers below this are below market for Memphis).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $220K–$251K for experienced roles, citing Memphis market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Memphis

What is the average Dentist salary in Memphis, TN?
The average Dentist salary in Memphis is $150,401 per year as of April 2026 — $12,533/month, $2,892/week, or about $72/hour. Salaries range from $114,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $250,800 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×).
Is $150,401 a good Dentist salary in Memphis?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Memphis's cost-of-living index is 85 (vs 100 nationally), giving $150,401 a real purchasing power of approximately $176,942 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $150,401 in Memphis?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Memphis specifically (median home price $175,000), a $150,401 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $150,401 enough for a single person in Memphis?
A single adult in Memphis typically needs ~$38,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $150,401 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $150,401 enough for a couple in Memphis?
A couple (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$61,200 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $150,401 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $150,401 each ($300,802 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $150,401 enough for a family of 4 in Memphis?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$93,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $150,401 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Dentist income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Memphis typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Memphis?
On a $150,401 Dentist salary in Memphis, TN, you take home approximately $113,456.084 per year ($9,455/month, $4,364 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $25,439.24, state $0, FICA $11,505.677. Effective tax rate: 24.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Memphis earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Memphis earn approximately 12% less than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $150,401 in Memphis). However, Memphis's cost-of-living index of 85 means real purchasing power is approximately $176,942 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Memphis?
Entry-level Dentists in Memphis typically start at around $123,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $220,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $250,800+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Memphis increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Memphis grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $22,788 in 2025 to $150,401 in 2026 (+$127,613). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures demand.
What's the job outlook for Dentists in Memphis?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Memphis's top industries include Logistics (FedEx), Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Dentists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Dentists are: Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management, CAD/CAM (CEREC), Implants. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Memphis.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Memphis?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Memphis include: Private practices (most), Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, Pacific Dental Services, Hospital systems. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Dentist salary in Memphis?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Dentist salary in Memphis?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DDS or DMD or State dental license). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Dentist in Memphis?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Memphis's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Dentist salary figures for Memphis are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Memphis

Physician →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Nurse Practitioner →

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

Jacksonville, FL$157KEl Paso, TX$145KNashville, TN$171KOklahoma City, OK$150KLouisville, KY$156KAlbuquerque, NM$154KTucson, AZ$154KTulsa, OK$150K

Land a $150K+ Dentist Role in Memphis

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Healthcare roles