Dental Assistant salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Dental Assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $46,360 a year ($22.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,040 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $46,720. There are 2.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Median | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| 75th percentile | $56,590 | $27.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,040 | $28.86 |
| Average (mean) | $48,020 | $23.09 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,863.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,931.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,783.08 |
| Weekly | $891.54 |
| Hourly | $22.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,540 | 2,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,200 | 1,200 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,210 | 6,700 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,790 | 1,030 |
| Jackson, TN | $46,590 | 190 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,050 | 320 |
| Rome, GA | $45,870 | 110 |
| Gainesville, GA | $45,850 | 220 |
| Savannah, GA | $45,710 | 380 |
| Morristown, TN | $45,550 | 130 |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,540 | 220 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45,230 | 140 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,110 | 320 |
| Hinesville, GA | $44,150 | 70 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $44,030 | 180 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $43,970 | 160 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $43,920 | 200 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $43,820 | 140 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,790 | 670 |
| Valdosta, GA | $43,380 | 120 |
| Albany, GA | $42,820 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $42,050 | 260 |
| Dalton, GA | $37,530 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,020 | $14.43 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Orderly | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $28,610 | $13.75 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $46,360 a year, or $22.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $60,040 a year. The top 25% earn $56,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,560 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $39,390 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 670 dental assistants are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.