TN · Jackson · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Jackson, TN

The median dental assistant pay in the Jackson area is $22.36 per hour ($46,520 a year), with the typical range running from $17.62 to $23.96. That ranks 170th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 28th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Jackson. The free report below lists employers near Jackson and what they pay.

Open Dental Assistant roles in Jackson

PermanentPosted 11 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Jackson, TN

$17.00–$20.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-008491
View role

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

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Dental Assistant pay in Jackson, TN

The metro median is 1% above the Tennessee statewide median of $22.16 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 170 dental assistants employed in the Jackson metro area, 2.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.82).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$16.44$34,20028% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$17.62$36,65023% below U.S. median
Median$22.36$46,5202% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$23.96$49,8405% above U.S. median
Top 10%$27.51$57,22021% above U.S. median

How Jackson ranks

  • 170th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 28th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 10 Tennessee metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Jackson

  • Overall prices in Jackson run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.5, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 43% below the U.S. average (index 56.6).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $22.36 median hour buys what $26.15 buys at the national price level, 15% 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.

Estimate your Jackson paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$805
  • Per year: $40,248
  • Per month: $3,354
  • Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

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

Dental health shortage areas in Madison County

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Madison County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 17 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.

Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Bartlett, TN63 mi$22.39/hr56,708
Collierville, TN64 mi$22.39/hr51,951
Memphis, TN74 mi$22.39/hr610,919
Southaven, MS81 mi$22.39/hr57,493
Jonesboro, AR104 mi$17.24/hr82,384
Clarksville, TN104 mi$22.19/hr185,690

Dental Assistant jobs in Tennessee · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Tennessee

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. 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 Jackson

Jackson city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Jackson, TN?

Dental Assistants in the Jackson metro area have a median pay of $22.36 per hour, about $46,520 a year. The middle half earn between $17.62 and $23.96 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Jackson a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Jackson ranks 28th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 170th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Jackson?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Jackson. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Jackson.

Do I need a Tennessee license to work in Jackson as a dental assistant?

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. 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 Jackson in a shortage area?

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

Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Jackson?

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

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What do employers near Jackson pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Jackson, TN
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportJackson, TN · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • PDS HealthNashville, TN · 3 postings$20.88/ hr$17–$24
  • Aspen DentalKnoxville, TN · 22 postings$20.50/ hr$17–$29
  • Smile BrandsHixson, TN · 5 postings$20.00/ hr$18–$23

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$18Median$20.50High$25

31 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Tennessee, 17 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 31 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $20.00–$22.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Chattanooga, TN · posted yesterday
  2. Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent
    $18.00–$20.00/ hour
    Smile Brands · Hixson, TN · posted yesterday

+ 29 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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