General dentist salary in Tennessee
The median general dentist in Tennessee earns $215,290 a year (about $103.50 an hour); the mean is $210,700. That is $44,340 (26%) above the US median of $170,950, and ranks 4 of 47 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| Tennessee | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $215,290 | $170,950 |
| Mean annual wage | $210,700 | $191,350 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $103.50 | $82.19 |
| Employed | 2,200 | 124,390 |
General dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and gums. BLS counts wage-and-salary employees: owner dentists who draw profit from their own practice are mostly not in this number, so these figures describe employed (associate-style) dentists, not practice-owner income.
How Tennessee compares with nearby ranks
States closest to Tennessee in the general dentist median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 | $215,360 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 | $222,340 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 | $211,780 |
| Oregon | $211,690 | $240,170 |
| Maine | $209,200 | $237,360 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 | $207,550 |
See the full state ranking for general dentists.
Other dental roles in Tennessee
- Dental hygienist salary in TennesseeMedian $84,640
- Dental assistant salary in TennesseeMedian $46,720
More for Tennessee
Dental jobs 路 add your own number anonymously 路 dental practices for sale in Tennessee 路 dental practice brokers in Tennessee
Common questions
How much does a general dentist make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for general dentists in Tennessee is $215,290 (about $103.50 an hour) and the mean is $210,700, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does Tennessee compare with the national figure?
The Tennessee median is $44,340 (26%) above the national median of $170,950. It ranks 4 of 47 states and districts with published figures for general dentists.
How many general dentists work in Tennessee?
BLS estimates 2,200 employed general dentists in Tennessee in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.