Dental Assistant Salary in Nashville, TN
Dental Assistants in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $48,540 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,182 take-home, or $3,432 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dental assistant salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,645
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,009
- Medicare (1.45%)$704
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,182
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Dental Assistant pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,820 | $18.66 | $33,372 | $2,781 |
| 25th percentile | $45,040 | $21.65 | $38,370 | $3,197 |
| Median (50th) | $48,540 | $23.34 | $41,182 | $3,432 |
| 75th percentile | $60,510 | $29.09 | $50,800 | $4,233 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,920 | $33.13 | $57,315 | $4,776 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,540 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dental assistant's $41,182 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,747 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dental Assistant jobs are about as common in Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for dental assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #9 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $72,370 | $56,345 | $53,753 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $74,600 | $57,585 | $52,150 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $62,040 | $52,029 | $46,817 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $64,390 | $51,141 | $44,235 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $58,580 | $46,923 | $43,989 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $59,890 | $45,891 | $43,531 |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,590 | $41,444 | $43,456 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $48,190 | $39,573 | $42,762 |
| 9 | Nashville, TN | $48,540 | $41,182 | $42,747 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: dental assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Nashville, TN?
The median dental assistant salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $48,540 a year, or about $23.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,040 and $60,510.
What is a dental assistant’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $48,540 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $41,182 a year ($3,432 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $48,070. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,747 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #9 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dental assistant afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median dental assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Medical Assistant — $44,620
- Nursing Assistant — $39,510
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,380