How does a Dentist's salary in Nashville compare to the rest of Tennessee?

Nashville's cost of living index is 112 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted upward accordingly. A Dentist earning the city-adjusted median of $196,571 earns $124,371 more than the median household income in Nashville ($72,200).

Dentist Salary in Nashville, TN — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Nashville's cost of living (index: 112). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Dentist Salary in Nashville — Key Numbers

$196,571

Median Salary

$129,326

25th Percentile

$267,714

75th Percentile

$336,000

90th Percentile

National median (Dentist)$175,510

vs. National median+12.0%

Nashville median household income$72,200

vs. City household income+172.3%

Cost of Living in Nashville

Cost of Living Index

112(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,556/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio9.5%

Annual rent cost$18,672

Median Home Price$445,000

Home Price / Salary2.3×

20% Down Payment$89,000

Years to save (20% rate)2.3 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Nashville

2.9%

Unemployment Rate

2,020,000

Metro Population

27 min

Avg Commute

34.6

Median Age

Nashville has a metro population of 2,020,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 2.9% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Nashville

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Cost of Living — Nashville

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Dentist Salary in Tennessee

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Nashville

Physician$256,816 Chief Executive Officer$235,200 IT Manager$189,851 Marketing Manager$176,534 Lawyer$163,251 HR Manager$152,712

Dentist Salary — Other Tennessee Cities

Memphis, TN$147,428 Knoxville, TN$163,224 Chattanooga, TN$161,469 Clarksville, TN$156,204

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Dentist make in Nashville, TN?

The estimated median salary for a Dentist in Nashville is $196,571 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $175,510 adjusted by Nashville's cost of living index (112). The typical salary range runs from $129,326 (25th percentile) to $267,714 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $336,000.

Is Nashville affordable for a Dentist?

On a $196,571 annual salary, a Dentist in Nashville would spend approximately 9.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,556/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Nashville relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $445,000 is 2.3× the annual salary.

How does a Dentist's salary compare to Nashville's overall income?

Nashville's median household income is $72,200. A Dentist earning the city-adjusted median of $196,571 earns 172.3% more than the typical Nashville household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Dentist — National Dentist in Tennessee All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.