Dental Assistant Salary in Smyrna, TN: $48,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Smyrna, TN earns a median $48,171/year (≈ $23.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $52,474 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants in 2026 is $48,171, a slight variance when compared to the national median of $49,579. The local salary range spans from $37,075 at the lowest percentile (P10) to $60,750 at the highest (P90), indicating substantial earning potential based on experience, specialty, and other factors. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost conditions, offering a clear snapshot of the local job market dynamics. Given Smyrna’s proximity to Nashville and the dental industry’s growth focused on various specialties, including orthodontics and oral surgery, dental assistants who focus on these areas can often command higher salaries, making Smyrna a competitive market for this profession.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,075 | $17.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,973 | $21.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,171 | $23.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,648 | $28.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,750 | $29.21 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, TN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,675 (2026 est.). At $48,171, the local median is 2.84% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Smyrna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Smyrna Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $48,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $47,646 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.84% less |
Dental Assistants in Smyrna, TN earn a median of $48,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $47,646.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna 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.
Smyrna, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,171 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,474 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,941
2025 BLS Actual
$46,704
2026 Current Est.
$48,171
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,941 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,561 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,546 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,217 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,116 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,704 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,683 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,941 (2019) to $46,704 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,683 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,742 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Smyrna 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) | $37,075 – $43,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,973 – $48,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,171 – $58,648 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,648 – $60,750 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Smyrna
Analyzing the local employment landscape, only 12 dental assistants are currently employed in Smyrna, reflecting a tight job market for new entrants. With a cost of living index at 91.8, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for dental professionals in the area can be relatively favorable, particularly in comparison to larger urban centers. Those seeking the highest pay often find opportunities with non-affiliated specialist practices or established dental service organizations like Heartland or Aspen Dental, where pay scales tend to be more standardized and competitive. The variability in dental assistant pay in Smyrna can be driven by several factors, including specialization, such as pediatric dentistry versus general dental practices, expanded function authority (EFDA) credentials, and roles that include responsibilities like treatment coordination. For those aiming to maximize their dental assistant pay in Smyrna, pursuing certifications through DANB or expanding their skill set through training programs could provide clear pathways to enhanced compensation.
More salary data for Smyrna, 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 $46,704 for dental assistantsin the Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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