Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Clarksville, TN: $41.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Clarksville, TN runs $41.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,274 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Clarksville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,168 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Clarksville, Tennessee, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $41.00, which falls significantly below the national median of $49.49. This wage creates interesting dynamics for both part-time and per-diem positions within various dental environments, including general practices, pediatric settings, and health clinics. For example, part-time hygienists working three days a week typically gain flexibility but see less consistent income. The hourly rate for dental hygienists in Clarksville spans from $30.78 for entry-level positions to $47.41 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse pay landscape within this field. Official figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate these numbers for 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, providing a clear picture of current expectations in the area.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.78 | $246.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.69 | $301.56 |
| Median (P50) | $41.00 | $328.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.60 | $356.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.41 | $379.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clarksville
Based on $41.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.00/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clarksville, TN can expect to earn approximately $85,280 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,200. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clarksville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clarksville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,640.00 | $7,107 | $85,280 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $984.00 | $4,264 | $51,168 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $656.00 | $2,843 | $34,112 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Clarksville) | $41.00 |
| 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 Clarksville, TN earn a median of $85,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.17% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Tennessee state average of $86,049.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.00/hr = $51,168/year (purchasing power: $56,261).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,280/year (purchasing power: $93,769).
CoL index: 90.947 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.00/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Clarksville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Clarksville grew 15.5% from $33.84/hr (2020) to $39.07/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.03/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 Clarksville 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 Clarksville
When assessing the financial implications of working as a dental hygienist in Clarksville, part-time employment can yield an annual income that is only a fraction of what full-time workers earn, particularly when considering a 24-hour work week. Per diem work offers promising prospects, as various agencies in metropolitan areas typically pay between $40 to $60 per hour, although in high cost of living cities this can rise significantly. The hourly pay can vary across different types of employers in Clarksville—from solo dental practices to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Some dental hygienists may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may choose to pursue higher pay without benefits. Negotiating these terms effectively, particularly in a market shaped by DSO consolidations, can be crucial for maximizing earning potential as a dental hygienist in this region.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Clarksville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Clarksville?
Are dental hygienists in Clarksville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Clarksville?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Clarksville?
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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 Clarksville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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