How Much Does a Dental Assistant Make in Tennessee in 2026?

A typical Dental Assistant in Tennessee earns about $22.46 per hour ($46,720 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That annual compensation translates to approximately $3,893 per month when calculated across a standard twelve-month schedule. On a weekly basis, full-time practitioners bring home roughly $898. These earnings provide a steady baseline for clinical support staff working in dental practices across the state.

Tennessee dental assistant earnings sit roughly 3 percent below the national benchmark of $48,070 annually, or $23.11 hourly. The state ranks 34th among the 50 states for dental assistant earnings. That slightly lower compensation generally tracks the state's lower living costs. Approximately 7,420 dental assistants work across Tennessee dental offices.

Entry-level positions in Tennessee typically offer around $18.18 per hour, which equals $37,810 annually for newcomers entering the field. Workers in the lower quartile start near $21.37 per hour, or $44,440 per year. Pay generally moves toward the state typical figure within a few years on the job. Clinical familiarity and office routines help newer assistants establish their footing quickly.

Experienced Dental Assistants often earn upwards of $28.50 per hour, or $59,270 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $29.45 per hour, which translates to more than $61,260 per year. Across all experience tiers, the entry-to-top spread reaches $23,450. Differences in clinical setting, years of chairside experience, and geographic city account for most of that wage gap.

In 2015, dental assistants in Tennessee earned a typical wage of $34,990 annually. By 2025, that annual figure climbed to $46,720, representing an overall dollar gain of $11,730 over ten years. That upward shift reflects a cumulative rise of 34 percent across the decade. Growth occurred steadily across several state budget cycles.

The state's 34 percent increase matches the national decade rise of 34 percent over the identical timeframe. Tennessee compensation has kept consistent pace with broader regional and countrywide wage adjustments. For someone entering the profession today, pay has moved up over the past decade, though future gains depend on ongoing economic conditions.

Compensation varies modestly across Tennessee, with figures covering each city's full metro area. Franklin leads the state with typical annual earnings of $48,540, corresponding to $23.34 hourly. That top figure sits 4 percent above the statewide baseline. Nearby Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Davidson post identical earnings, while Memphis follows closely at $48,200 per year.

Kingsport ranks as the lowest-paying metro area in the state at $45,110 annually, or $21.69 hourly. That creates a statewide city spread of $3,430 between the highest and lowest markets. Franklin also maintains the largest Dental Assistant workforce in the state, employing 2,730 assistants. Local housing and everyday living expenses generally influence these regional wage variations.

Tennessee dental assistant wages sit in the middle of southeastern earnings patterns. To the east, North Carolina leads the surrounding region with typical annual pay of $50,380, which is 8 percent higher than Tennessee. Kentucky also pays slightly more at $47,730. Conversely, southern neighbors offer lower wages, with Alabama reporting typical compensation of $39,080, or 16 percent below Tennessee. Licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

Dental assistants across Tennessee currently earn typical annual pay of $46,720, following a solid 34 percent wage increase over the past decade. Compensation remains steady across major population centers and aligns closely with local living costs. Prospective assistants should consult the state licensing board registry page to review credentialing requirements. Reviewing dedicated city pages provides additional perspective on localized wage rates and clinical opportunities.