Dental Assistant Salary in La Vergne, TN: $45,515 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in La Vergne, TN earns a median $45,515/year (≈ $21.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in La Vergne's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $49,581 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in La Vergne, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $45,515 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $37,136 at the 10th percentile to $56,992 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the profession. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that specialty roles in oral surgery and orthodontics can lead to higher earning potential, positioning La Vergne's dental assistant pay slightly lower than some other regions. With only eight dental assistants currently employed in the city, the job market offers various avenues for practice, particularly within specialty practices, which tend to command a premium in compensation.
About the La Vergne Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,136 | $17.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,515 | $21.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,259 | $26.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,992 | $27.40 |
Median Salary Position
8.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Vergne
In La Vergne, TN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,856 (2026 est.). At $45,515, the local median is 8.2% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Vergne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Vergne Dental Assistant Pay Compares
La Vergne median: $45,515/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Vergne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $47,659 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -8.20% less |
Dental Assistants in La Vergne, TN earn a median of $45,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.20% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $47,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Vergne 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.
La Vergne, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,515 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,581 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,794
2025 BLS Actual
$44,129
2026 Current Est.
$45,515
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,794 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,804 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,145 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,724 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,515 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Vergne metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,794 (2019) to $44,129 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,150 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vergne 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) | $37,136 – $42,940 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,940 – $45,515 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,515 – $54,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,259 – $56,992 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in La Vergne
Analyzing the context of the dental assistant salary in La Vergne reveals a cost-of-living index of 91.8, suggesting that take-home purchasing power may be more favorable than in other cities. While general dental practices may provide entry-level opportunities, specialty offices, particularly those in orthodontics and oral surgery, typically offer higher salaries and better incentives. Variable factors influencing pay include expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, hybrid roles between treatment coordinating and assisting, and the tiered pay scales set by dental service organizations like Heartland and Aspen. For dental assistants in La Vergne looking to maximize their income, pursuing EFDA certifications or seeking positions in specialty practices can be advantageous strategies amidst a growing landscape of dental employer options.
More salary data for La Vergne, 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 $44,129 for dental assistantsin the La Vergne 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 La Vergne 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