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Dentist Salary in Tennessee (2026)
$103.51 per hour · take-home ≈ $160,188/year ($13,349/month) for a single filer
Tennessee is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Dentists (4th of 49), with a median about 23% above the national average. Of the 2,200 Dentist jobs BLS counts in Tennessee, the typical worker earns $215,290 a year — though pay ranges from $84,360 for newcomers to $311,900 at the top.
Dentist pay range in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $84,360 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $133,710 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $215,290 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $269,120 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $311,900 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,200 Dentist jobs in Tennessee (occupation code 29-1021, “Dentists, General”).
Gross vs. take-home in Tennessee
A median Dentist salary of $215,290 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Tennessee), a single filer keeps about $160,188 — an effective tax rate of 25.6%.
| Gross (median) | $215,290 |
| Federal income tax | −$40,404 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$14,698 |
| Tennessee state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $160,188 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $13,349 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Tennessee paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Dentist make in Tennessee?
- The median Dentist salary in Tennessee is $215,290 per year ($103.51 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $133,710 and $269,120.
- What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Tennessee?
- On the median salary of $215,290, a single filer in Tennessee takes home about $160,188 per year ($13,349 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 25.6%.
- How many Dentist jobs are there in Tennessee?
- BLS counts 2,200 Dentist jobs in Tennessee in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Dentists
Other salaries in Tennessee
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Tennessee state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Tennessee.