Dental Assistant salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Dental Assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $48,200 a year ($23.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,790 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $46,720. There are 2.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $49,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| 25th percentile | $40,650 | $19.55 |
| Median | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| 75th percentile | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Average (mean) | $49,340 | $23.72 |
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 | $4,016.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,008.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,853.85 |
| Weekly | $926.92 |
| Hourly | $23.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,200 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 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,050 | 680 |
| Jackson, MS | $46,910 | 790 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,790 | 1,030 |
| Jackson, TN | $46,590 | 190 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,360 | 670 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,050 | 320 |
| Morristown, TN | $45,550 | 130 |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,540 | 220 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45,230 | 140 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $45,140 | 920 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,110 | 320 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $45,020 | 450 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $38,190 | 260 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $38,180 | 120 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $37,440 | 100 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,160 | 220 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $36,720 | 170 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,260 | $18.87 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Massage Therapist | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,440 | $25.21 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,900 | $14.86 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| Orderly | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $32,780 | $15.76 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $48,200 a year, or $23.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $61,790 a year. The top 25% earn $59,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,940 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $40,650 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,200 dental assistants are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.