Dental Assistant Salaries in Tennessee
Tennessee is a growing state, and much of that growth can be attributed to Music City. Nashville and its surrounding towns are booming, and this means the region needs good health and dental care more than ever. Dentists in Nashville and throughout the city are looking for qualified assistants to help their practices run safely and smoothly.
The upward trend in population in Nashville and across Tennessee helps to explain the significant demand for good dental assistants. The growth in this field is impressive at over 27 percent. Aspiring dental assistants should find more than 800 available positions every year for the next several years.
In order to become a licensed dental assistant in Tennessee, candidates must complete an accredited Dental Assisting program and pass both the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam and the DANB Infection Control (IC) Exam.
After completing a dental assisting program, candidates must pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. The RHS exam tests a candidate’s knowledge of radiation safety and infection control in the dental office. In order to take the RHS exam, candidates must first submit an application to the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
After passing the RHS exam, candidates must then pass the DANB Infection Control (IC) Exam. The IC exam tests a candidate’s knowledge of infection control in the dental office. In order to take the IC exam, candidates must first submit an application to the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Although growth and demand are strong, Tennessee dental assistant salaries don’t compare favorably with many other states. The average annual salary here is nearly $3,000 less than the national average.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Tennessee | 2016 | 5,450 | 2026 | 6,930 | 1,480 | 27.2% | 820 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Tennessee | 5,680 | $18.72 | $38,940 | $26,270 | $32,160 | $38,120 | $46,450 | $53,950 |
Average salaries for dental assistants in Johnson City and the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin metro area come close to the national average. The areas with the lowest salaries include Kingsport-Bristol, Cleveland and Memphis.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 490 | $17.98 | $37,410 | $26,500 | $31,660 | $37,400 | $42,160 | $50,330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 270 | $19.08 | $39,690 | $29,830 | $33,060 | $37,420 | $46,410 | $55,260 |
| Cleveland, TN | 100 | $17.79 | $37,000 | $24,080 | $29,670 | $36,380 | $44,590 | $50,960 |
| Jackson, TN | 90 | $18.39 | $38,250 | $26,600 | $30,510 | $40,770 | $45,960 | $49,360 |
| Johnson City, TN | 200 | $19.30 | $40,130 | $26,880 | $32,960 | $41,540 | $47,650 | $51,640 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 240 | $17.01 | $35,380 | $25,420 | $28,750 | $34,530 | $41,180 | $48,940 |
| Knoxville, TN | 840 | $18.68 | $38,860 | $30,370 | $34,570 | $38,790 | $44,710 | $49,640 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 1340 | $17.84 | $37,110 | $23,500 | $28,020 | $34,760 | $45,420 | $57,040 |
| Morristown, TN | 80 | $15.40 | $32,040 | $24,080 | $27,060 | $29,870 | $36,120 | $45,780 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 1830 | $19.40 | $40,350 | $27,110 | $33,050 | $39,470 | $48,940 | $57,100 |
The salary for a dental assistant in Tennessee compares favorably to similar careers in the state. A dental assistant here typically earns more than a medical assistant, nursing assistant and pharmacy tech, but less than a physical therapist assistant.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 10270 | $16.59 | $34,510 | $22,970 | $26,710 | $31,690 | $38,620 | $47,250 |
| Nursing Assistants | 29200 | $13.10 | $27,250 | $20,650 | $22,970 | $26,590 | $30,640 | $35,790 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 3290 | $27.15 | $56,470 | $30,640 | $46,490 | $57,730 | $67,700 | $78,520 |
| Dental Assistants | 5680 | $18.72 | $38,940 | $26,270 | $32,160 | $38,120 | $46,450 | $53,950 |
| Medical Assistants | 15280 | $16.16 | $33,610 | $24,640 | $27,890 | $32,290 | $38,070 | $44,840 |