Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $22.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Chattanooga, TN runs $22.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,816 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,691 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, dental assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $22.99, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $23.84. This hourly rate is promising for both part-time workers, who might average around three days a week, and for per-diem positions typical in diverse settings such as general dentistry operatories or pediatric exam rooms. Entry-level dental assistants can earn around $18.63 per hour, while those at the top end of the pay scale see rates as high as $29.77 per hour. These figures come from data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting the hourly wage environment for this occupation in 2026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.63 | $149.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.53 | $156.28 |
| Median (P50) | $22.99 | $183.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.06 | $224.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.77 | $238.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $22.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.99/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $47,819 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,588. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $919.60 | $3,985 | $47,819 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.76 | $2,391 | $28,691 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.84 | $1,594 | $19,128 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Chattanooga) | $22.99 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $47,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.56% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.30% above the Tennessee state average of $47,673.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.99/hr = $28,691/year (purchasing power: $31,369).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,819/year (purchasing power: $52,282).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Chattanooga grew 24.0% from $17.98/hr (2019) to $22.29/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Chattanooga
When considering part-time work in Chattanooga, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week would earn just over $28,000 annually, a fraction of what full-time colleagues make, but still a solid option for those balancing other commitments. Per diem dental assistants in the area can invoice between $22 and $35 per hour, with rates nudging up to $28–$45 for specialized roles in oral surgery and orthodontics. Hourly rates also fluctuate significantly across different practice settings, such as general practices, specialty offices, and dental schools. While some may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others prioritize pay increases and may navigate temp agency positions. For those in Chattanooga, effective negotiation can focus on the comprehensive picture of compensation, considering both pay structures and benefit offerings with local employers.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Chattanooga?
Are dental assistants in Chattanooga paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Chattanooga?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Chattanooga?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Chattanooga. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov