Dental Assistant salary in Tennessee
What dental assistants earn in Tennessee and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$46,720$22.46 per hour
vs U.S.−3%U.S. median $48,070
Middle half earn$44,440 – $59,270Top 10%: $61,260+
Jobs7,4200.91× the U.S. concentration
Dental Assistant pay in Tennessee cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,540 | $23.34 | 2,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,200 | $23.17 | 1,200 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,790 | $22.49 | 1,030 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,360 | $22.29 | 670 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,050 | $22.14 | 320 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,110 | $21.69 | 320 |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $44,330 | $21.31 | 240 |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,540 | $21.89 | 220 |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $45,440 | $21.85 | 210 |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $45,530 | $21.89 | 210 |
| Jackson, TN | $46,590 | $22.40 | 190 |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $45,430 | $21.84 | 190 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45,230 | $21.75 | 140 |
| Morristown, TN | $45,550 | $21.90 | 130 |
Hospitals and jobs in Tennessee
Dental Assistant pay in similar states
South Carolina · $47,320 Nevada · $47,110 Georgia · $46,840 Montana · $46,680 Virginia · $46,670 Nebraska · $46,660
Other healthcare salaries in Tennessee
Registered Nurses · $81,500 Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $32,130 Nursing Assistants · $37,990 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $58,870 Medical Assistants · $39,570 Nurse Practitioners · $117,590 Pharmacy Technicians · $41,920 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $62,070 Pharmacists · $133,390 Physicians, All Other · $301,290 Physical Therapists · $100,140 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · $64,630
Questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Tennessee?
Dental Assistants in Tennessee earned a median of $46,720 a year ($22.46 an hour) in May 2025, 3% less than the national median of $48,070. The middle half earned $44,440 to $59,270.
Where in Tennessee do dental assistants earn the most?
Among areas in Tennessee, pay was highest in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN at $48,540.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.