Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Cookeville, TN: $21.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Cookeville, TN runs $21.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,282 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Cookeville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,173 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cookeville, Tennessee, dental assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $21.77 in 2026, which sits below the national median of $23.84. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this means a reliable income yet may not reach the financial stability of full-time positions. Per-diem dental assistants typically find hourly wages that vary widely; estimates show they can range from $17.59 up to $26.99 based on experience and specialization. With entry-level positions starting around $17.59, dental assistants in Cookeville can progress to top earners, who may pull in around $26.99 per hour in certain settings like oral surgery or specialized practice areas.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.59 | $140.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.40 | $163.21 |
| Median (P50) | $21.77 | $174.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.86 | $206.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.99 | $215.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cookeville
Based on $21.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.77/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cookeville, TN can expect to earn approximately $45,288 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,127. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cookeville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cookeville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $870.91 | $3,774 | $45,288 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $522.55 | $2,264 | $27,173 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $348.37 | $1,510 | $18,115 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Cookeville) | $21.77 |
| 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 Cookeville, TN earn a median of $45,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.67% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $47,665.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.77/hr = $27,173/year (purchasing power: $29,600).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,288/year (purchasing power: $49,333).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Cookeville grew 19.9% from $17.60/hr (2019) to $21.11/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.46/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 Cookeville 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 Cookeville
Part-time dental assistants who work around 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $27,890 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. This disparity highlights the financial reality for those balancing personal obligations or pursuing advanced certifications through programs like DANB. Meanwhile, per diem dental assistant pay in Cookeville tends to be more lucrative, with rates typically reaching between $22 to $35 per hour, and even higher in specialty practices, which can pay from $28 up to $45 per hour. Different employer types also influence hourly wages significantly; general dental practices tend to pay less than established DSOs like Heartland or Pacific Dental, which often offer benefits that may offset a slightly lower hourly rate. Those seeking work opportunities in Cookeville should consider negotiating for higher wages, especially when pursuing roles that require specialized skills.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Cookeville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cookeville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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