Tennessee ranks 34th of 51 states and D.C. for dental assistants pay, trailing top-paying Minnesota ($64,630) by $18,540 — a 40% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $36,780 to $59,210 — a $22,430 spread, 12% tighter than the national $25,590 range.
Tennessee employs roughly 1.7% of all dental assistants in the country (6,370 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| 25th percentile | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| 75th percentile | $54,440 | $26.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,210 | $28.46 |
| Mean (average) | $46,680 | $22.44 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $46,090 | n/a |
| Minnesota | $64,630 | +40% |
| Massachusetts | $57,960 | +26% |
| Oregon | $57,720 | +25% |
| Washington | $57,040 | +24% |
| District of Columbia | $56,500 | +23% |
| Alaska | $55,950 | +21% |
| Maine | $51,340 | +11% |
| North Dakota | $51,310 | +11% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $46,140 | 8,810 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $46,160 | 4,230 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,990 | 930 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,910 | 2,350 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,870 | N/A |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,410 | 1,990 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Dental Assistants salary in Tennessee?
The mean dental assistants salary in Tennessee is $46,680 per year. The median (middle) salary is $46,090 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Dental Assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level dental assistantss (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $36,780 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $38,980 per year.
What is the highest Dental Assistants salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $59,210 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $54,440 per year.
How does the Tennessee Dental Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median dental assistants salary in Tennessee is $46,090, which is -3% below national average of $47,300.