Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Practice Administrator Salary in Tennessee
The median dental practice administrator earns $107,120 a year in Tennessee ($51.50 an hour), with the middle half earning between $84,200 and $144,560.[1]
25th percentile
$84,200
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$107,120
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$144,560
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $107,120 per year or $51.50/hr at the median. Tennessee runs about 14% 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 practice administrators 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 | $34.53 | $71,820 | $35.29 | $73,390 |
| 25th percentile | $40.48 | $84,200 | $45.53 | $94,700 |
| Median | $51.50 | $107,120 | $59.55 | $123,860 |
| 75th percentile | $69.50 | $144,560 | $79.85 | $166,100 |
| 90th percentile | $97.14 | $202,060 | $107.86 | $224,340 |
| Mean (average) | $61.70 | $128,340 | $67.77 | $140,970 |
How many dental practice administrators work in Tennessee
14,160
4.32
1.12
How Tennessee compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $107,120 in Tennessee vs. $123,860 nationally, $16,740 (14%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $71,820 vs. $73,390, 2% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $202,060 vs. $224,340, 10% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 25.8% in Tennessee vs. 23.2% nationally.
Dental Practice Administrator 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 | $116,480 | $85,630–$162,160 | 5,510 |
| Memphis | $112,800 | $88,760–$155,990 | 2,310 |
| Clarksville | $105,500 | $84,180–$131,270 | 450 |
| Johnson City | $105,470 | $83,720–$148,320 | 400 |
| Knoxville | $104,250 | $81,290–$138,660 | 1,880 |
| Chattanooga | $102,920 | $82,990–$134,170 | 1,150 |
| Jackson | $100,770 | $80,830–$125,020 | 300 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $99,370 | $81,010–$128,370 | 440 |
| Cleveland | $94,780 | $78,040–$149,990 | 160 |
| Morristown | $82,360 | $69,330–$116,010 | 140 |
Job outlook for dental practice administrators in Tennessee
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dental practice administrators to grow 25.8% over 2024–2034, from 13,470 to 16,950 jobs, with about 1,400 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 23.2%.
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 practice administrator pay in Tennessee
Pay for a dental practice administrator 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.
For dental pros
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Dental Practice Administrator salary in Tennessee: FAQ
How much do dental practice administrators make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for dental practice administrators in Tennessee was $107,120 ($51.50 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $84,200 and $144,560. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $71,820 and the top 10% earned over $202,060.
Do dental practice administrators in Tennessee earn more than the national median?
No. The Tennessee median of $107,120 is lower than the U.S. median of $123,860. That is $16,740 (14%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Tennessee metro area pays dental practice administrators the most?
Among the 10 Tennessee metro areas with published BLS data, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin has the highest median at $116,480 a year. Morristown has the lowest, at $82,360.
How many dental practice administrators work in Tennessee?
BLS estimates 14,160 dental practice administrators were employed in Tennessee in May 2025. That is 4.32 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.12, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental practice administrators growing in Tennessee?
Tennessee's official long-term projections expect employment of dental practice administrators to grow 25.8% over 2024–2034, from 13,470 to 16,950 jobs. That works out to about 1,400 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 23.2%.
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Dental Practice Administrator salary by state
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in California
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Texas
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Florida
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in New York
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Illinois
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Ohio
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Georgia
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Medical and Health Services Managers (11-9111), 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: Medical and Health Services Managers