Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Kingsport, TN: $41.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Kingsport, TN runs $41.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,964 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Kingsport's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,177 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, TN, the projected dental hygienist hourly pay for 2026 is set at $41.81. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.49, indicating a price point that might affect both current practices and new entrants in the field. For those looking to work part-time—such as a three-day-per-week schedule—this translates into a manageable earning potential relative to full-time positions. In general, dental hygienists can expect to find hourly rates ranging from $32.33 at entry-level roles to $48.78 for experienced professionals in various settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and Dental Service Organizations like Aspen and Heartland Dental.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.33 | $258.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.41 | $323.30 |
| Median (P50) | $41.81 | $334.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.96 | $375.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.78 | $390.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kingsport
Based on $41.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.81/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kingsport, TN can expect to earn approximately $86,961 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,170. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kingsport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kingsport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,672.32 | $7,247 | $86,961 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,003.39 | $4,348 | $52,177 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.93 | $2,899 | $34,784 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Kingsport) | $41.81 |
| 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 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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.81/hr = $52,177/year (purchasing power: $60,357).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,961/year (purchasing power: $100,594).
CoL index: 86.447 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$29.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.81/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Kingsport (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Kingsport grew 34.1% from $29.72/hr (2020) to $39.84/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.87/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Kingsport
Exploring the financial dynamics of dental hygiene work reveals interesting variations in hourly earnings across employment types in Kingsport. For example, part-time hygienists working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home a considerably stable income, though they may earn significantly less compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Kingsport tends to vary, with some professionals opting for agency roles that can offer between $40-$60 per hour. However, the reality of travel contracts is less common compared to nursing jobs. Notably, hourly rates can differ among solo practices, group practices, and public health clinics, often reflecting the benefits included in compensation packages. Some may choose to accept lower hourly wages for the availability of benefits like health insurance, while others focus on maximizing their hourly pay rate. It's advisable for dental hygienists to negotiate based on their specific circumstances, understanding the local market's pay rates and potential employer offerings.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Kingsport in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Kingsport?
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How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Kingsport?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Kingsport?
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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 Kingsport. 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