Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Sevierville, TN: $21.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Sevierville, TN runs $21.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,992 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Sevierville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,992 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, dental assistants in Sevierville, TN, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $21.63, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate offers a competitive wage for those considering part-time positions, typically working three days a week. The dental assistant hourly rate can provide flexibility for professionals operating in various settings such as general dentistry, pediatrics, or oral surgery. Entry-level positions start around $17.01 per hour, while more experienced dental assistants may earn up to $27.05, reflecting the range of opportunities available in this role. These figures are derived from projected annual salary estimates and speak to the potential earnings of dental assistants in the local market.
About the Sevierville 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) | $17.01 | $136.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.92 | $159.33 |
| Median (P50) | $21.63 | $173.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.88 | $207.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.05 | $216.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sevierville
Based on $21.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.63/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sevierville, TN can expect to earn approximately $44,987 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,954. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sevierville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sevierville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $865.14 | $3,749 | $44,987 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $519.08 | $2,249 | $26,992 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $346.06 | $1,500 | $17,995 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Sevierville) | $21.63 |
| 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 Sevierville, TN earn a median of $44,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.25% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.60% below the Tennessee state average of $47,661.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.63/hr = $26,992/year (purchasing power: $29,403).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,987/year (purchasing power: $49,006).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Sevierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Sevierville grew 19.9% from $17.48/hr (2019) to $20.97/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.31/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 Sevierville 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 Sevierville
Analyzing the potential earnings for dental assistants reveals some intriguing dynamics. A dental assistant working part-time at 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $26,590 annually, significantly lower than the salary of full-time counterparts. For those interested in per diem opportunities, pay rates can range from $22 to $35 per hour, with specialized roles in orthodontics or oral surgery offering rates between $28 and $45 per hour. These positions often arise through temp agencies like Cloud Dentistry, which connect workers to flexible shifts. Hourly wages can also differ based on the type of employer—general practices, specialty offices, or dental chains like Heartland and Aspen exhibit varied pay scales. Moreover, while some may accept lower hourly rates for benefits such as health insurance, others may choose the higher pay without benefits. Negotiating the right pay requires understanding these dynamics, particularly for dental assistants in Sevierville looking to balance earnings with job security and benefits.
More salary data for Sevierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Sevierville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Sevierville?
Are dental assistants in Sevierville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Sevierville?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Sevierville?
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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 Sevierville. 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 Sevierville 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