Dental Assistant salary in Clarksville, TN-KY
Dental Assistants in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn a median of $46,050 a year ($22.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,300 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 3.1 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Clarksville, TN-KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Median | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| 75th percentile | $52,440 | $25.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Average (mean) | $46,970 | $22.58 |
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 | $3,837.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,918.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,771.15 |
| Weekly | $885.58 |
| Hourly | $22.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,050 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $48,690 | 750 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,540 | 2,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,200 | 1,200 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,790 | 1,030 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $46,750 | 190 |
| Jackson, TN | $46,590 | 190 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $46,410 | 140 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,360 | 670 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $45,970 | 220 |
| Morristown, TN | $45,550 | 130 |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,540 | 220 |
| Owensboro, KY | $45,330 | 160 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45,230 | 140 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,110 | 320 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $42,660 | 240 |
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 Clarksville, TN-KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,810 | $16.74 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $30,930 | $14.87 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $60,520 | $29.10 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Clarksville, TN-KY
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 Clarksville, TN-KY?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area is $46,050 a year, or $22.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Clarksville, TN-KY?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn at least $59,300 a year. The top 25% earn $52,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Clarksville, TN-KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,700 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $38,710 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Clarksville, TN-KY?
About 320 dental assistants are employed in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.