Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Kingsport, TN: $22.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Kingsport, TN runs $22.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Kingsport's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,919 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental assistants in Kingsport, TN, can expect a median hourly pay of $22.37, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $23.84. This hourly wage translates into a viable income for various working arrangements, such as those employed part-time across three days a week or thriving in per-diem positions within diverse environments ranging from general dentistry operatories to specialized pediatric offices. The hourly pay in Kingsport spans from $17.92 at the entry level (P10) to $29.37 for those at the top of the range (P90), providing a clear picture of earning potential within distinct practice settings. The data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reflects how the dental assistant hourly rate in TN is structured, revealing both opportunities for growth and the competitive nature of compensation in the field.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.92 | $143.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.75 | $150.01 |
| Median (P50) | $22.37 | $178.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.59 | $188.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.37 | $234.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kingsport
Based on $22.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.37/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kingsport, TN can expect to earn approximately $46,532 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,845. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kingsport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kingsport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $894.84 | $3,878 | $46,532 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $536.91 | $2,327 | $27,919 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $357.94 | $1,551 | $18,613 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Kingsport) | $22.37 |
| 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 Kingsport, TN earn a median of $46,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.40% below the Tennessee state average of $47,671.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.37/hr = $27,919/year (purchasing power: $32,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,532/year (purchasing power: $53,827).
CoL index: 86.447 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Kingsport grew 30.7% from $16.60/hr (2019) to $21.69/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.07/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 Kingsport 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 Kingsport
For dental assistants navigating part-time work in Kingsport, earning potential can significantly differ from their full-time counterparts. A typical 3-day workweek—approximately 24 hours—yields an annual income of around $27,860, contrasting sharply with the earnings of full-time staff. Per diem and agency dental assistants are often able to command rates between $22 and $35 an hour, especially for placements in oral surgery or orthodontic settings, where hourly wages can rise to $45. The variety in hourly compensation is evident across employer types, from general practices to specialty offices; larger DSO chains implement standardized pay rates that may offer benefits in exchange for slightly lower hourly wages compared to independent practices. Dental assistants should approach salary negotiations with an understanding of the local market and their unique qualifications, especially when balancing the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits like health insurance. As the healthcare field evolves, the adaptability and credentialing—such as through DANB and state EFDA programs—continue to play essential roles in individual earning capacity.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Kingsport in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Kingsport?
Are dental assistants in Kingsport paid hourly or salary?
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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 Kingsport. 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