Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$43,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$51,807 vs $47,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$47,870 vs $43,919
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $77,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $59,290▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $98,560▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $123,200▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,807▲ | $47,531 | +$4,276 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,732 | $71,148▲ | -$31,416 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,870▲ | $43,919 | +$3,951 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 145,000 | -125,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $34,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($51,807 vs $47,531 equivalent). Memphis, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.