Dental assistant salary in Tennessee
The median dental assistant in Tennessee earns $46,720 a year (about $22.46 an hour); the mean is $49,670. That is $1,350 (3%) below the US median of $48,070, and ranks 34 of 50 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| Tennessee | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $46,720 | $48,070 |
| Mean annual wage | $49,670 | $50,200 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $22.46 | $23.11 |
| Employed | 7,420 | 387,790 |
Dental assistants work alongside dentists: chairside help, instruments, patient comfort, and in many states radiographs and other expanded duties.
How Tennessee compares with nearby ranks
States closest to Tennessee in the dental assistant median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $47,310 |
| Nevada | $47,110 | $45,880 |
| Georgia | $46,840 | $46,870 |
| Montana | $46,680 | $47,180 |
| Virginia | $46,670 | $47,490 |
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $46,430 |
See the full state ranking for dental assistants.
Other dental roles in Tennessee
- Dental hygienist salary in TennesseeMedian $84,640
- General dentist salary in TennesseeMedian $215,290
More for Tennessee
Dental jobs 路 add your own number anonymously 路 dental practices for sale in Tennessee 路 dental practice brokers in Tennessee
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Tennessee is $46,720 (about $22.46 an hour) and the mean is $49,670, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does Tennessee compare with the national figure?
The Tennessee median is $1,350 (3%) below the national median of $48,070. It ranks 34 of 50 states and districts with published figures for dental assistants.
How many dental assistants work in Tennessee?
BLS estimates 7,420 employed dental assistants in Tennessee in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.