Launch your dental career with free online training. Tennessee dental assistants earn $45,350+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$45,350/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
4,400+
Population 65+
17.5
Training Cost
FREE
Volunteer State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 4,400+ dental practices and a population where 17.5 are over 65.
Tennessee dental assistants earn $45,350 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $48,500 - $55,500.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Tennessee.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Tennessee requires dental assistants to register with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Tennessee offers Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) credentials for additional clinical procedures through approved training and examination.
Tennessee requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or Tennessee state exam. Radiography certification is part of DA registration requirements and must be renewed.
Largest market, Meharry/UT dental programs
UT dental school, diverse population
East Tennessee hub, UT main campus
Southeast TN, growing market
Affluent Nashville suburb
Tennessee offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 300+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 875 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38163
Tennessee's dental school in Memphis with comprehensive clinical programs.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 1005 Dr DB Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208
Historic HBCU dental school serving diverse Nashville communities.
View Careers →Employees: 800+
Facilities: 40+ locations
Location: Multiple TN locations
National DSO with extensive Tennessee presence.
View Careers →Employees: 500+
Facilities: 25+ locations
Location: Multiple TN locations
Doctor-led DSO with growing Tennessee footprint.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: Multiple locations
Location: Nashville/Middle TN
Major Nashville-based health system with dental services.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 3 locations
Location: Memphis area
Faith-based community health organization serving Memphis.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 10 locations
Location: East Tennessee
Community health center serving East Tennessee communities.
View Careers →Employees: 6,400+
Facilities: 3,700+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices from Nashville to rural Tennessee.
View Careers →Amanda T.
Nashville • Meharry Dental
"Historic HBCU dental school means diverse patients and mission-driven work. Amazing experience!"
2024-11
Marcus R.
Memphis • UT Dental
"Tennessee's dental school offers excellent clinical experience. Memphis blues culture is a bonus!"
2024-10
Jennifer K.
Franklin • Private Practice
"Nashville suburb practice serves growing community. No income tax makes wages go further!"
2024-09
Tennessee dental assistants earn an average of $45,350 annually ($21.80/hour). Entry-level positions start at $36,500-$41,500, while experienced DAs earn $48,500-$55,500. Nashville suburbs (Franklin) pay highest at $45,000-$53,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Tennessee requires dental assistants to register with the Board of Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. EDDA credentials require additional training and examination for expanded functions.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. Tennessee registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification. The complete process typically takes 2-3 months from enrollment to employment.
Excellent outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Tennessee's 7 million population, 4,400+ dental practices, and two dental schools (UT, Meharry) create strong demand. Nashville's rapid growth particularly drives dental service expansion.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Tennessee registration fee, radiography certification exam, and any optional certifications when ready. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages!
Franklin/Williamson County leads with $45,000-$53,000 serving affluent Nashville suburbs. Nashville metro offers $43,000-$51,000 near Meharry dental school. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, effectively boosting take-home pay statewide.
Tennessee offers: (1) No state income tax on wages, (2) Two dental schools (UT Memphis, Meharry Nashville), (3) Nashville's rapid growth creating opportunities, (4) Meharry—historic HBCU dental school, (5) Lower cost of living than coastal states.
Meharry Medical College in Nashville is one of America's oldest historically Black medical schools, founded in 1876. The School of Dentistry trains diverse dental professionals and operates clinics serving Nashville's underserved communities, creating unique employment opportunities.
Join thousands of Tennessee residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredTennessee's dental workforce serves approximately 7 million residents through an estimated 4,400+ dental practices. Nashville and Memphis metros dominate dental employment, with significant markets in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and growing suburban areas.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Tennessee employed approximately 11,200 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $45,350. Tennessee's lack of state income tax on wages effectively increases net compensation.
Tennessee hosts two dental schools—UT Health Science Center in Memphis and Meharry Medical College in Nashville. Meharry, founded in 1876, is one of America's oldest historically Black medical schools and trains diverse dental professionals.
Nashville ranks among America's fastest-growing metros, driving dental practice expansion throughout Middle Tennessee. Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood) attracts affluent residents creating premium dental service demand.
HCA Healthcare, headquartered in Nashville, operates healthcare facilities nationwide including dental services in Tennessee. The company's presence contributes to Nashville's status as a healthcare industry hub.
Community health centers including Church Health in Memphis and Cherokee Health Systems in East Tennessee serve underserved populations. These organizations provide mission-driven employment with potential loan repayment benefits and diverse clinical experiences.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.