Dental Hygienist Pay

Germantown vs Memphis: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Germantown, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Germantown, TN
$83,758
$40.27/hr
Memphis, TN
$82,462
$39.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$83,758$82,462
Hourly Rate$40.27$39.65
Entry Level (P10)$63,241$75,714
25th Percentile$74,941$79,618
75th Percentile$93,243$96,870
Top Earner (P90)$107,116$125,634
Total Employed8650
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($83,758) and Memphis ($82,462) dental hygienist salaries.GermantownMemphisMedian Salary$83,758$82,462Entry Level (P10)$63,241$75,714Top Earner (P90)$107,116$125,634US Median $102,946

Verdict

Germantown and Memphis are closely matched on overall dental hygienist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Germantown and Memphis is $1,296 (1.57%). Germantown's median is -18.64% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $43,875,Memphis spans $49,920. Memphis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$63,241
P25$74,941
Median$83,758
P75$93,243
P90 (Top)$107,116
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$75,714
P25$79,618
Median$82,462
P75$96,870
P90 (Top)$125,634

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Germantown ($91,240 effective) pays 1.99% more than Memphis ($89,459 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $83,758
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $91,240
Memphis
Nominal: $82,462
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $89,459

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,758/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,240)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($125,634)
  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Germantown grew 24.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 25.0% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Germantown, TN

+24.2%

$64,260 (2020) → $79,815 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+25.0%

$62,870 (2020) → $78,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Germantown or Memphis?

Germantown has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $83,758/year, compared to Memphis at $82,462/year — a difference of $1,296 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Memphis?

Germantown dental hygienists earn $40.27/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $39.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Memphis as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $91,240, Memphis = $89,459), job availability (8 vs 650 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Germantown vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $63,241 in Germantown and $75,714 in Memphis. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov