As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Dental Assistant in Tennessee is $39,007 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Dental Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Dental Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $43,233 | $3,603 | $831 | $21 |
| Average | $39,007 | $3,251 | $750 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,136 | $2,928 | $676 | $17 |
Marquee Dental Partners - Nashville, TN
Aria Care Partners - Johnson City, TN
Marquee Dental Partners - Smyrna, TN
Marquee Dental Partners - Chattanooga, TN
A Dental Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Dental Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Dental Assistant | $38,314 |
| Intermediate Level Dental Assistant | $39,133 |
| Senior Level Dental Assistant | $40,899 |
| Specialist Level Dental Assistant | $41,088 |
| Expert Level Dental Assistant | $41,214 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Dental Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Dental Assistant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $41,428. While startup companies pay approximate $35,286.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $35,286 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $37,252 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $40,076 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $41,428 |
For Dental Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Dental Assistant positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Dental Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $46,808 | $23.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Dental Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $43,233 | $3,603 | $831 | $21 |
| Average | $39,007 | $3,251 | $750 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,136 | $2,928 | $676 | $17 |
For a Dental Assistant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Dental Hygienist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $70,860 - a projected growth of 82% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Dental Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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