2026 Salary — Tennessee
Updated April 29, 2026
Dentist Salary in Tennessee: $162K Median
Dentists in Tennessee earn between $124K and $271K per year.
That's -5% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Tennessee is $162,365 per year — -5% below the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $123,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $270,750 (90th percentile). Tennessee's cost-of-living index is 92. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Median
$162,365
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$133,000
Experienced
$237,500
Top 10%
$270,750
About Dentists in Tennessee
Dentists diagnose and treat oral health conditions through preventive care, fillings, extractions, and specialty procedures.
Hot 2026 Skills
Digital dentistryCosmetic proceduresPractice managementCAD/CAM (CEREC)Implants
ATS Keywords
DDSpatient carerestorative dentistrypreventive careCERECpractice management
How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Tennessee
Walk-away anchor: $147,605.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Dentist Salary FAQ — Tennessee
What is the average Dentist salary in Tennessee?
The average Dentist salary in Tennessee is $162,365 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $123,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $270,750 (90th percentile). Tennessee has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Dentist pay in Tennessee compare to the US average?
Dentists in Tennessee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median ($170,910 nationally vs $162,365 in Tennessee). Tennessee's cost-of-living index of 92 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Dentist salaries in Tennessee increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Tennessee grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $24,601 in 2025 to $162,365 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures demand.
Which Tennessee cities pay Dentists the most?
Top-paying Tennessee metros for Dentists: Nashville ($171K), Memphis ($150K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Dentists in Tennessee?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Tennessee's top industries include Healthcare, Manufacturing (Auto, EV), Logistics (FedEx), and the state's unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Tennessee have state income tax?
No, Tennessee has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $162,365, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Dentists in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management, CAD/CAM (CEREC), Implants. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Tennessee employers.
How can I increase my Dentist salary in Tennessee?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Tennessee: $147,605.
Methodology
Tennessee Dentist salary is the BLS national median ($170,910) adjusted by Tennessee's state multiplier (0.95×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Dentist Salary in Other States
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