Dental Assistant Pay

Collierville vs Memphis: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Collierville, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Collierville, TN
$47,762
$22.96/hr
Memphis, TN
$49,713
$23.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollierville, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$47,762$49,713
Hourly Rate$22.96$23.90
Entry Level (P10)$35,905$38,100
25th Percentile$43,104$41,926
75th Percentile$57,583$60,863
Top Earner (P90)$59,532$63,730
Total Employed81,200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Collierville ($47,762) and Memphis ($49,713) dental assistant salaries.ColliervilleMemphisMedian Salary$47,762$49,713Entry Level (P10)$35,905$38,100Top Earner (P90)$59,532$63,730US Median $49,579

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Collierville.

The salary gap between Collierville and Memphis is $1,951 (4.08%). Memphis's median is +0.27% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Collierville spans $23,627,Memphis spans $25,630. Memphis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Collierville
P10 (Entry)$35,905
P25$43,104
Median$47,762
P75$57,583
P90 (Top)$59,532
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$38,100
P25$41,926
Median$49,713
P75$60,863
P90 (Top)$63,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($53,931 effective) pays 3.66% more than Collierville ($52,028 effective).

Collierville
Nominal: $47,762
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $52,028
Memphis
Nominal: $49,713
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $53,931

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Collierville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,713/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,730)
  • Larger job market (1,200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,931)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Collierville grew 25.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.7% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Collierville, TN

+25.8%

$36,802 (2024) → $46,308 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+38.7%

$34,760 (2019) → $48,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Collierville or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,713/year, compared to Collierville at $47,762/year — a difference of $1,951 (4.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Collierville and Memphis?

Collierville dental assistants earn $22.96/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $23.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Collierville to Memphis as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Collierville and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Collierville = $52,028, Memphis = $53,931), job availability (8 vs 1,200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Collierville vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,905 in Collierville and $38,100 in Memphis. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov