Dental Assistant Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $47,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $47,816/year (≈ $22.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $52,278 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, TN, the projected dental assistant salary for 2026 is $47,816, slightly below the national median of $49,579. This salary reflects a wide range, from $38,739 at the low end (P10) to $61,925 at the high end (P90), as reported in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The pay scale influences of dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental often lead to standardized compensation structures, while solo practices may offer more flexible opportunities but potentially lower pay. Understanding this spectrum is crucial for dental assistants considering their career paths within this market, especially as the demand continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,739 | $18.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,627 | $19.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,816 | $22.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,367 | $28.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,925 | $29.77 |
Median Salary Position
3.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,186 (2026 est.). At $47,816, the local median is 3.56% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chattanooga Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $47,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $47,673 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.56% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,278 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,400
2025 BLS Actual
$46,360
2026 Current Est.
$47,816
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,317 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 24.0% from $37,400 (2019) to $46,360 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,317 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,917 (31.86%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,739 – $40,627 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,627 – $47,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,816 – $58,367 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,367 – $61,925 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Chattanooga
Chattanooga's job market shows robust potential, with approximately 670 dental assistants currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 91.464, which is below the national average, meaning that salaries can provide more purchasing power locally compared to other regions. Among local employers, dental chains like Pacific Dental often offer competitive wages, especially for advanced roles or hybrid positions that combine dental assisting with treatment coordinating responsibilities. Factors such as specialization, including opportunities in orthodontics or oral surgery, can significantly influence earnings, with those holding expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials typically commanding higher salaries. For assistants looking to maximize earnings in Chattanooga, pursuing additional certifications through DANB or exploring roles within productivity-driven DSOs could prove beneficial in navigating this evolving market.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Chattanooga?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,360 for dental assistantsin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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