Dental Assistant Pay

Maryville vs Nashville: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Maryville, TN
$45,252
$21.75/hr
Nashville, TN
$50,064
$24.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaryville, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$45,252$50,064
Hourly Rate$21.75$24.07
Entry Level (P10)$36,497$40,039
25th Percentile$42,379$46,454
75th Percentile$53,642$62,410
Top Earner (P90)$56,165$71,084
Total Employed62,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maryville ($45,252) and Nashville ($50,064) dental assistant salaries.MaryvilleNashvilleMedian Salary$45,252$50,064Entry Level (P10)$36,497$40,039Top Earner (P90)$56,165$71,084US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Maryville and Nashville is $4,812 (10.63%). Nashville's median is +0.98% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maryville spans $19,668,Nashville spans $31,045. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Maryville
P10 (Entry)$36,497
P25$42,379
Median$45,252
P75$53,642
P90 (Top)$56,165
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$40,039
P25$46,454
Median$50,064
P75$62,410
P90 (Top)$71,084

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($51,967 effective) pays 5.42% more than Maryville ($49,294 effective).

Maryville
Nominal: $45,252
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $49,294
Nashville
Nominal: $50,064
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $51,967

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maryville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,064/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,084)
  • Larger job market (2,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,967)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Maryville grew 25.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Maryville, TN

+25.8%

$34,868 (2024) → $43,874 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+23.0%

$39,470 (2019) → $48,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Maryville or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median dental assistant salary at $50,064/year, compared to Maryville at $45,252/year — a difference of $4,812 (10.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maryville and Nashville?

Maryville dental assistants earn $21.75/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $24.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maryville to Nashville as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maryville and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maryville = $49,294, Nashville = $51,967), job availability (6 vs 2,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Maryville vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,497 in Maryville and $40,039 in Nashville. The Nashville 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