Dental Hygienist Salary in Kingsport, TN: $86,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Kingsport, TN earns a median $86,964/year (≈ $41.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $100,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 210 dental hygienists currently employed in Kingsport, the job market demonstrates a notable level of saturation, offering stability for new graduates and seasoned professionals alike. As projected for 2026, the median annual salary stands at $86,964, which is approximately 15.52% below the national average of $102,946. The salary range in Kingsport varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $67,246 and the highest 90% reaching $101,456. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect the local demand and competitive market dynamics for dental hygienists in the area, indicating a stable foundation for career growth in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,246 | $32.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,046 | $40.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,964 | $41.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,668 | $46.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,456 | $48.78 |
Median Salary Position
15.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,210 (2026 est.). At $86,964, the local median is 15.52% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be above the median
How Kingsport Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $86,964/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,018 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -15.52% less |
Dental Hygienists in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $86,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.52% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $86,018.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $86,964 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,598 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$61,830
2025 BLS Actual
$82,870
2026 Current Est.
$86,964
2020–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Kingsport (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $61,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,260 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 34.0% from $61,830 (2020) to $82,870 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,430 (47.60%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,246 – $84,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,046 – $86,964 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,964 – $97,668 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,668 – $101,456 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Kingsport
Analyzing the compensation landscape for dental hygienists in Kingsport, TN, suggests that the local cost-of-living index at 86.447 allows for a reasonable standard of living despite salaries being below the national average. Employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the most competitive pay, which can mitigate the earnings gap through enhanced benefits and production-based bonuses. Factors like work schedules significantly influence salaries; those in full-time positions or those who take advantage of incentives from DSOs often see better returns. To maximize their salaries, aspiring dental hygienists should consider positions within larger group practices or DSOs, where sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits can substantially increase overall compensation. Understanding these dynamics can empower professionals to negotiate better pay and benefits effectively as they navigate their career in this evolving sector in Kingsport.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,870 for dental hygienistsin the Kingsport metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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