Dental Assistants Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $46,100 -2.5% vs national
Median hourly $22.16
10th percentile $37,010
90th percentile $56,490
Employed locally 780
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,010
    25th
    $37,950
    50th (median)
    $46,100
    75th
    $48,660
    90th
    $56,490

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 66% Median Dental Assistants salary is 34% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Johnson City, TN $47,530
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $46,580
    Jackson, TN $46,520
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $46,260
    Clarksville, TN-KY $46,160
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $45,390

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,750
    Nursing Assistants$36,920
    Medical Assistants$38,300
    Phlebotomists$37,820
    Physical Therapist Assistants$60,380
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36,140

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Knoxville, TN is $22.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.91 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Knoxville, TN is 2.5% below the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,010 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,950.