Dental Hygienist Salary in Franklin, TN: $97,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Franklin, TN earns a median $97,487/year (≈ $46.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $106,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.3% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With 18 dental hygienists currently working in Franklin, the job market indicates steady demand in this essential healthcare sector. In 2026, the projected median salary for dental hygienists in Franklin is set at $97,487, which reflects a competitive standing compared to the national median of $102,946. This salary falls within a range of $76,790 at the lower end to $125,270 for those at the top percentile, illustrating a healthy spectrum of earning potential. The estimates provided are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, highlighting the local economic factors influencing dental hygienist compensation in Franklin.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($83,902) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,101 | $40.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,487 | $46.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,537 | $52.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,270 | $60.23 |
Median Salary Position
5.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, TN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,480 (2026 est.). At $97,487, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Franklin median: $97,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $86,043 | +13.30% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -5.30% less |
Dental Hygienists in Franklin, TN earn a median of $97,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 13.30% above the Tennessee state average of $86,043.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $97,487 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$64,576
2025 BLS Actual
$92,898
2026 Current Est.
$97,487
2020–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Franklin (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $64,576 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,852 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,033 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,336 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,898 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,303 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 43.9% from $64,576 (2020) to $92,898 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,727 (58.42%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $76,790 – $84,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,101 – $97,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,487 – $108,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,537 – $125,270 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Franklin
The cost of living in Franklin, with an index of 91.8, indicates that residents generally face lower expenses than the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for dental hygienists. Salaries may vary significantly depending on the type of practice, with larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen often providing the most competitive pay and benefits packages, including sign-on bonuses. Conversely, smaller practices might lack comprehensive benefits, which can affect overall compensation. Factors like production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and flexible work weeks can also influence earnings here. For dental hygienists in Franklin, focusing on opportunities with DSOs and negotiating for benefits can be key strategies to maximize earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Franklin, 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 $92,898 for dental hygienistsin the Franklin 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
Salary data for Franklin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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