Dental Assistant Salary in Hendersonville, TN: $46,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Hendersonville, TN earns a median $46,290/year (≈ $22.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Hendersonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $50,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hendersonville, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants is $46,290 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national average of $49,579. Salaries for dental assistants in this region range widely, from approximately $36,381 at the 10th percentile to $59,438 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for growth and specialization within the field. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, provide a clear picture of compensation trends in Hendersonville, especially for those working in specialized practices such as oral surgery or orthodontics, which often command higher salaries due to the advanced skills required. With such insight into local pay rates, it's evident that career opportunities for dental assistants are influenced by both the specialty focus and market conditions that shape employment in this area.
About the Hendersonville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,381 | $17.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,808 | $20.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,290 | $22.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,839 | $26.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,438 | $28.58 |
Median Salary Position
6.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hendersonville
In Hendersonville, TN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,057 (2026 est.). At $46,290, the local median is 6.63% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hendersonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hendersonville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Hendersonville median: $46,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hendersonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $47,673 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.63% less |
Dental Assistants in Hendersonville, TN earn a median of $46,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.63% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.90% below the Tennessee state average of $47,673.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hendersonville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hendersonville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,290 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,425 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,421
2025 BLS Actual
$44,881
2026 Current Est.
$46,290
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Hendersonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,421 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,095 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,847 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,453 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,668 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,744 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hendersonville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,421 (2019) to $44,881 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,744 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,323 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hendersonville 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) | $36,381 – $41,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,808 – $46,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,290 – $55,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,839 – $59,438 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Hendersonville
The job market for dental assistants in Hendersonville currently employs 13 individuals, indicating a small but stable workforce. The cost of living index sits at 91.8, which is below the national average and suggests that dental assistant pay in Hendersonville may offer decent purchasing power despite the lower median salary. Employers that typically offer higher wages include specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, where specialized skills are highly valued. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to various factors, including the specific dental specialty, additional certifications such as the Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), and roles that blend responsibilities, such as treatment coordinators. To maximize earning potential in Hendersonville, aspiring dental assistants should consider obtaining certifications recognized by DANB, actively seek positions in specialty practices, and stay informed about DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, which may provide competitive pay scales and opportunities for advancement.
More salary data for Hendersonville, 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
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 $44,881 for dental assistantsin the Hendersonville 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
Salary data for Hendersonville 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