Dentists, General Salary
The median pay for a dentists, general in Tennessee is $215,290/year ($103.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $84K at the entry level to $312K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $239,797 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $215K get you in Tennessee?
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Tennessee sits well above the national pay line for dentists, general, local pay runs about 26% higher than the U.S. median of $171K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 9.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Tennessee offers a genuinely strong financial position for dentists, generals at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level dentists, generals (10th percentile) start around $84K. Mid-career wages sit at $215K. Top earners bring in $312K or more, a $228K spread from bottom to top.
Dentists, General salary by metro in Tennessee
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $238K | +11% | 280 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $215K | +0% | 1,170 |
| Johnson City | $183K | -15% | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $174K | -19% | 90 |
| Clarksville | $164K | -24% | 40 |
| Chattanooga | $161K | -25% | 190 |
| Knoxville | $158K | -27% | 220 |
| Cleveland | $123K | -43% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track dentists, general salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a dentists, general afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $215K, rent takes 9.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for dentists, generals in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dentists, generals typically earn — is $84K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,062/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 24% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is dentists, general a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Local pay is 26% above the national median — $215K here vs. $171K nationally.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for dentists, generals?
Tennessee pays $215K median vs. the U.S. average of $171K — that’s +26%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $240K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do dentists, generals make in Tennessee?
The median is $215,290 a year, that works out to about $104 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $84,360, and experienced dentists, generals can clear $311,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $215K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $13,330/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 9.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a dentists, general salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dentists, general salary is worth about $239,797 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dentists, generals get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.