Dental Assistant Salary in Morristown, TN: $46,980 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Morristown, TN earns a median $46,980/year (≈ $22.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Morristown's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $54,398 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morristown, Tennessee, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $46,980 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this position varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning approximately $37,956 and the upper 90% reaching around $62,266. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reflect the specialized roles within the field, such as those in oral surgery or orthodontics that command higher wages. Given the unique characteristics of the local job market, this information highlights both the attractive opportunities available for dental assistants and the importance of specialty training in enhancing earning potential within Morristown.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,956 | $18.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,111 | $19.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,383 | $23.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,266 | $29.93 |
Median Salary Position
5.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morristown
In Morristown, TN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,310 (2026 est.). At $46,980, the local median is 5.24% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morristown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morristown Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Morristown median: $46,980/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morristown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $47,647 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.24% less |
Dental Assistants in Morristown, TN earn a median of $46,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.24% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.40% below the Tennessee state average of $47,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morristown has a cost of living 13.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morristown, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.364 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,980 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,398 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,870
2025 BLS Actual
$45,550
2026 Current Est.
$46,980
2019–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Morristown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,980 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morristown metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 52.5% from $29,870 (2019) to $45,550 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,585 (62.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown 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) | $37,956 – $40,111 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,111 – $46,980 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,980 – $49,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,383 – $62,266 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Morristown
The dental assistant market in Morristown is supported by around 130 individuals employed in this field, indicating a stable local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 86.364, residents enjoy a lower cost profile, providing better purchasing power for their salaries. Among local employers, oral surgery and orthodontic practices tend to offer the highest pay, followed by pediatric dental specialty offices. The pay disparity in Morristown can be attributed to factors such as specialty credentials, with EFDA-credentialed dental assistants often earning more in states where this is permitted. The ongoing consolidation of dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen Dental is shaping the pay scale strategies. For dental assistants aiming to increase their earnings, pursuing specialized training, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities within DSOs could prove beneficial for maximizing dental assistant pay in Morristown, TN.
More salary data for Morristown, 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 $45,550 for dental assistantsin the Morristown 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