TN · Cleveland · Updated October 15, 2026

Dentist jobs in Cleveland, TN

Pay for dentists in the Cleveland area centers on $79.75 per hour, or about $165,890 a year. The lower quarter earns under $51.30 and the upper quarter over $107.38. That ranks 189th of 302 U.S. metro areas for dentist pay, and 116th of 279 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near Cleveland and what they pay.

Dentist pay in Cleveland, TN

The metro median is 7% above the Tennessee statewide median of $74.26 per hour. Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 30 dentists, general employed in the Cleveland metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.03).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$35.90$74,67057% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$51.30$106,70038% below U.S. median
Median$79.75$165,8904% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$107.38$223,35029% above U.S. median
Top 10%$115+$239,200+38% above U.S. median

How Cleveland ranks

  • 189th of 302 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 116th of 279 after adjusting for local prices
  • 4th of 8 Tennessee metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Cleveland

  • Overall prices in Cleveland run 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.1, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 40% below the U.S. average (index 60.3).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $79.75 median hour buys what $90.54 buys at the national price level, 9% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Cleveland, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Cleveland paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,871
  • Per year: $143,550
  • Per month: $11,962
  • Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Cleveland metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Open Dentist roles in Tennessee

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Cleveland as they open.

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dentist – DDS / DMD

Aspen Dental · Spring Hill, TN

$300k–$450k/ year
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-011034
Top 25% pay
View role
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Associate Dentist

Aspen Dental · Smyrna, TN

$180k–$215k/ year
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-010969
View role

All Dentist jobs in Tennessee

Dental health shortage areas in Bradley County

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Bradley County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 15 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dentist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Chattanooga, TN23 mi$70.96/hr191,496
Knoxville, TN75 mi$61.98/hr198,722
Alpharetta, GA84 mi$103.12/hr67,275
Roswell, GA84 mi$103.12/hr92,227
Marietta, GA87 mi$103.12/hr63,122
Johns Creek, GA88 mi$103.12/hr81,167

Dentist jobs in Tennessee · Dentist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Tennessee

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Tennessee requires for your role with the Tennessee licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Tennessee does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.

Tennessee state guide

Other healthcare roles in Cleveland

Cleveland city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dentists make in Cleveland, TN?

Dentists in the Cleveland metro area have a median pay of $79.75 per hour, about $165,890 a year. The middle half earn between $51.30 and $107.38 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Cleveland a good place for dentists once cost of living is counted?

Cleveland ranks 116th of 279 metro areas for dentist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 189th of 302 before adjusting. Overall prices run 12% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a Tennessee license to work in Cleveland as a dentist?

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Tennessee requires for your role with the Tennessee licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Cleveland in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Bradley County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dentists in Cleveland?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Cleveland and across Tennessee. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Cleveland.

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What do employers near Cleveland pay dentists? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dentist near Cleveland, TN
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dentist pay reportCleveland, TN · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Nashville Dentures & Implants, PLLCAntioch, TN · 1 wage offer$144.23/ hr$144–$144
  • Aspen DentalSpring Hill, TN · 2 postings$137.62/ hr$87–$216
  • Tennessee Dental Professionals PCHendersonville, TN · 1 wage offer$96.15/ hr$96–$96
  • Oak Ridge Smiles Dentistry, PCOak Ridge, TN · 1 wage offer$87.50/ hr$88–$88

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$68Median$81.73High$96

7 employer-reported wage offers for Dentist in federal filings in Tennessee, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 2 Dentist roles

  1. Dentist – DDS / DMDPermanent
    $300k–$450k/ year
    Aspen Dental · Spring Hill, TN · posted 30+ days ago
  2. Associate DentistPermanent
    $180k–$215k/ year
    Aspen Dental · Smyrna, TN · posted 30+ days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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