Dental Assistant Pay

Nashville vs Sevierville: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Nashville, TN
$50,064
$24.07/hr
Sevierville, TN
$44,992
$21.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashville, TNSevierville, TN
Median Salary$50,064$44,992
Hourly Rate$24.07$21.63
Entry Level (P10)$40,039$35,369
25th Percentile$46,454$41,434
75th Percentile$62,410$53,834
Top Earner (P90)$71,084$56,267
Total Employed2,7305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashville ($50,064) and Sevierville ($44,992) dental assistant salaries.NashvilleSeviervilleMedian Salary$50,064$44,992Entry Level (P10)$40,039$35,369Top Earner (P90)$71,084$56,267US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Nashville and Sevierville is $5,072 (11.27%). 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 Nashville spans $31,045,Sevierville spans $20,898. Nashville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Nashville
P10 (Entry)$40,039
P25$46,454
Median$50,064
P75$62,410
P90 (Top)$71,084
Sevierville
P10 (Entry)$35,369
P25$41,434
Median$44,992
P75$53,834
P90 (Top)$56,267

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($51,967 effective) pays 6.03% more than Sevierville ($49,011 effective).

Nashville
Nominal: $50,064
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $51,967
Sevierville
Nominal: $44,992
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $49,011

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Sevierville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Nashville grew 23.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.8% growth in Sevierville over the same period.

Nashville, TN

+23.0%

$39,470 (2019) → $48,540 (2025)

Sevierville, TN

+25.8%

$34,667 (2024) → $43,622 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Nashville or Sevierville?

Nashville has a higher median dental assistant salary at $50,064/year, compared to Sevierville at $44,992/year — a difference of $5,072 (11.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashville and Sevierville?

Nashville dental assistants earn $24.07/hr while Sevierville hygienists earn $21.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashville and Sevierville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashville = $51,967, Sevierville = $49,011), job availability (2,730 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $40,039 in Nashville and $35,369 in Sevierville. 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