Dental Assistant Salary in Kingsport, TN: $46,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Kingsport, TN earns a median $46,526/year (≈ $22.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $53,820 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, TN, dental assistants can expect competitive compensation, with a median annual salary projected at $46,526 for 2026. This figure reflects a dynamic job market where the presence of expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) bolsters pay rates, often exceeding standard dental assistant salaries. The salary range is quite wide, from $37,254 at the 10th percentile to $61,090 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities depending on experience, specialization, and credentialing. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the area's favorable employment conditions for dental assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,254 | $17.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,997 | $18.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,526 | $22.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,053 | $23.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,090 | $29.37 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,836 (2026 est.). At $46,526, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $46,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $47,671 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.16% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,820 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,530
2025 BLS Actual
$45,110
2026 Current Est.
$46,526
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,987 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 30.6% from $34,530 (2019) to $45,110 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,457 (38.97%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,254 – $38,997 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,997 – $46,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,526 – $49,053 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,053 – $61,090 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Kingsport
With approximately 320 dental assistants employed in Kingsport, the local job market offers a stable environment. The cost of living index stands at 86.447, suggesting that residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle, allowing their take-home income to stretch further compared to the national average. Notably, positions in specialty practices, such as oral surgery and orthodontics, typically offer higher salaries, along with opportunities at DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, which have standard pay scales that may enhance pay for EFDAs. The significant wage variability can also be attributed to factors like specialty roles, treatment coordinator duties, and additional responsibilities, such as mentoring other dental assistants. For those in Kingsport looking to maximize their pay, pursuing EFDA credentials, seeking positions in higher-paying specialties, and considering roles within DSOs can provide a strategic advantage in boosting their earning potential.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 $45,110 for dental assistantsin the Kingsport 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