Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Tennessee
The median dental assistant earns $46,720 a year in Tennessee ($22.46 an hour), with the middle half earning between $44,440 and $59,270.[1]
25th percentile
$44,440
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$46,720
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$59,270
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $46,720 per year or $22.46/hr at the median. Tennessee runs about 3% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Tennessee
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Tennessee earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Tennessee hourly | Tennessee annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.18 | $37,810 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $21.37 | $44,440 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $22.46 | $46,720 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $28.50 | $59,270 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $29.45 | $61,260 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $23.88 | $49,670 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Tennessee
7,420
2.26
0.91
How Tennessee compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $46,720 in Tennessee vs. $48,070 nationally, $1,350 (3%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $37,810 vs. $37,130, 2% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $61,260 vs. $62,250, 2% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 13.5% in Tennessee vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Tennessee
All 10 Tennessee metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $48,540 | $45,040–$60,510 | 2,730 |
| Memphis | $48,200 | $40,650–$59,010 | 1,200 |
| Knoxville | $46,790 | $45,220–$59,710 | 1,030 |
| Jackson | $46,590 | $43,200–$57,820 | 190 |
| Chattanooga | $46,360 | $39,390–$56,590 | 670 |
| Clarksville | $46,050 | $38,710–$52,440 | 320 |
| Morristown | $45,550 | $38,890–$47,880 | 130 |
| Johnson City | $45,540 | $37,820–$48,980 | 220 |
| Cleveland | $45,230 | $38,240–$47,530 | 140 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $45,110 | $37,810–$47,560 | 320 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Tennessee
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 13.5% over 2024–2034, from 6,630 to 7,530 jobs, with about 1,000 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in Tennessee
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
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Dental Assistant salary in Tennessee: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Tennessee was $46,720 ($22.46 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $44,440 and $59,270. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,810 and the top 10% earned over $61,260.
Do dental assistants in Tennessee earn more than the national median?
No. The Tennessee median of $46,720 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $1,350 (3%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Tennessee metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 10 Tennessee metro areas with published BLS data, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin has the highest median at $48,540 a year. Kingsport-Bristol has the lowest, at $45,110.
How many dental assistants work in Tennessee?
BLS estimates 7,420 dental assistants were employed in Tennessee in May 2025. That is 2.26 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.91, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Tennessee?
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 13.5% over 2024–2034, from 6,630 to 7,530 jobs. That works out to about 1,000 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Tennessee?
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Other roles in Tennessee
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Tennessee long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants