Dental Assistant salary in Tennessee
Dental Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $46,720 a year ($22.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,260 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $48,070. Tennessee ranks 34th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 25th percentile | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Median | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| 75th percentile | $59,270 | $28.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Average (mean) | $49,670 | $23.88 |
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 | $3,893.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,946.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,796.92 |
| Weekly | $898.46 |
| Hourly | $22.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,720 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,540 | 2,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,200 | 1,200 |
| 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 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,110 | 320 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Orderly | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,320 | $14.58 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for dental assistants in Tennessee is $46,720 a year, or $22.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Tennessee earn at least $61,260 a year. The top 25% earn $59,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,810 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,440 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Tennessee?
About 7,420 dental assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.