Dental Assistants Salary in Nashville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $46,260 -2.2% vs national
Median hourly $22.24
10th percentile $39,780
90th percentile $61,430
Employed locally 2,370
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
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Nashville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,780
    25th
    $43,410
    50th (median)
    $46,260
    75th
    $57,310
    90th
    $61,430

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 56% Median Dental Assistants salary is 44% 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
    Clarksville, TN-KY $46,160
    Knoxville, TN $46,100
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $45,390

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,110
    Nursing Assistants $38,780
    Medical Assistants $41,500
    Phlebotomists $41,650
    Physical Therapist Assistants $66,950
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $38,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Nashville?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Nashville, TN is $22.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.13 or more per hour.

    Is Nashville above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Nashville, TN is 2.2% 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 Nashville?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $39,780 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,410.