Dental Assistant salary in Tennessee
Dental Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $22.16 per hour, about $46,090 a year, 3% below the U.S. median of $22.74. The middle half earn between $18.74 and $26.17 per hour. The highest median among Tennessee metro areas is in Johnson City, TN, at $22.85 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $22.16median pay per hour
- $46,090median pay per year
- 6,370dental assistants employed in Tennessee
- #33of 50 states by median pay
Dental Assistant pay in Tennessee: percentiles
| Level | Tennessee per hour | Tennessee per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.68 | $36,770 | $17.40 |
| Lower quartile | $18.74 | $38,980 | $19.00 |
| Median | $22.16 | $46,090 | $22.74 |
| Upper quartile | $26.17 | $54,430 | $27.36 |
| Top 10% | $28.46 | $59,200 | $29.70 |
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Tennessee median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TN | $22.85 | $47,530 | 220 | 3% above | $25.99 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $22.39 | $46,580 | 990 | 1% above | $24.29 |
| Jackson, TN | $22.36 | $46,520 | 170 | 1% above | $26.15 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $22.24 | $46,260 | 2,370 | in line with | $23.09 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $22.19 | $46,160 | 280 | in line with | $24.40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $22.16 | $46,100 | 780 | in line with | $23.94 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $21.82 | $45,390 | 590 | 2% below | $23.86 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $20.69 | $43,030 | 320 | 7% below | $23.93 |
| Cleveland, TN | $20.59 | $42,830 | 120 | 7% below | $23.38 |
| Morristown, TN | $19.89 | $41,360 | 110 | 10% below | $23.03 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Dental Assistant pay in states next to Tennessee
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17.92 | $37,280 | 19% below Tennessee |
| Arkansas | $18.11 | $37,680 | 18% below Tennessee |
| Georgia | $21.92 | $45,600 | 1% below Tennessee |
| Kentucky | $22.37 | $46,520 | 1% above Tennessee |
| Mississippi | $17.85 | $37,130 | 19% below Tennessee |
| Missouri | $21.74 | $45,220 | 2% below Tennessee |
| North Carolina | $23.42 | $48,710 | 6% above Tennessee |
| Virginia | $22.55 | $46,910 | 2% above Tennessee |
What employers are posting in Tennessee
- 31roles with published pay
- $20.50median pay per hour
- $18–$25typical published range
- 4employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 22 | $20.50 |
| Smile Brands | 5 | $20 |
| PDS Health | 3 | $20.88 |
| ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers | 1 | $24.50 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 31 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dental Assistant jobs in Tennessee · Dental Assistant salary nationwide · Tennessee state guide
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Tennessee?
The median is $22.16 per hour, about $46,090 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $17.68 and the top 10% earn over $28.46 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Tennessee city pays dental assistants the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Johnson City, TN has the highest median at $22.85 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Tennessee rank for dental assistant pay?
Tennessee ranks 33rd of 50 states by median dental assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay dental assistants? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
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Your Dental Assistant pay reportTennessee · 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
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
- Dental AssistantPermanent$20.00–$22.00/ hour
- Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent$18.00–$20.00/ hour
+ 29 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.