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Dental Assistants Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Dental Assistants make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$46,720
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.4% vs 2024
$49,670
Mean Salary
$46,720
Median Salary
$22.46
Hourly Rate
7,420 people work as Dental Assistants in Tennessee
Dental Assistants salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Dental Assistants in Tennessee earn a median salary of $46,720 per year ($3,893/month).
This is 4.8% below the national average of $49,100.
Tennessee ranks #34 out of 50 states for Dental Assistants pay.
Approximately 7,420 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries increased by 1.4% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Dental Assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.88
Speaking
3.38
Reading Comprehension
3.25
Active Learning
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
4.54
Medicine and Dentistry
4.41
English Language
3.76
Administration and Management
3.47
Administrative
3.45
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate
(46.0% of workers)
Salaries for Dental Assistants in Tennessee range from $37,810 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $61,260 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $44,440 and $59,270.
Median $46,720
P10: $37,810P25: $44,440P75: $59,270P90: $61,260
10th
$37,810
25th
$44,440
Median
$46,720
75th
$59,270
90th
$61,260
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$37,810
$18.18
$3,150
25th Percentile
$44,440
$21.37
$3,703
Median (50th)
$46,720
$22.46
$3,893
75th Percentile
$59,270
$28.50
$4,939
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$61,260
$29.45
$5,105
Note: The mean (average) salary of $49,670 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Dental Assistants in Tennessee is $46,720 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $49,670.
What is the salary range for a Dental Assistants in Tennessee?
Salaries for Dental Assistants in Tennessee range from $37,810 at the 10th percentile to $61,260 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $44,440 and $59,270.
What is the starting salary for a Dental Assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level Dental Assistants positions in Tennessee typically start around $37,810 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $44,440 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Dental Assistants in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 7,420 people are employed as Dental Assistants in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Dental Assistants in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Dental Assistants in Tennessee is approximately $22.46 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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