Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Mississippi
The median dental assistant earns $39,160 a year in Mississippi ($18.83 an hour), with the middle half earning between $36,240 and $47,450.[1]
25th percentile
$36,240
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$39,160
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$47,450
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $39,160 per year or $18.83/hr at the median. Mississippi runs about 19% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Mississippi
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Mississippi earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Mississippi hourly | Mississippi annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $14.74 | $30,650 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $17.42 | $36,240 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $18.83 | $39,160 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $22.81 | $47,450 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $28.18 | $58,620 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $20.63 | $42,910 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Mississippi
3,080
2.65
1.06
How Mississippi compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $39,160 in Mississippi vs. $48,070 nationally, $8,910 (19%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $30,650 vs. $37,130, 17% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $58,620 vs. $62,250, 6% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 24.3% in Mississippi vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Mississippi
All 4 Mississippi metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $48,200 | $40,650–$59,010 | 1,200 |
| Jackson | $46,910 | $37,510–$48,330 | 790 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | $45,020 | $36,530–$48,940 | 450 |
| Hattiesburg | $38,190 | $35,180–$46,470 | 260 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Mississippi
Mississippi's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 24.3% over 2024–2034, from 2,740 to 3,400 jobs, with about 460 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in Mississippi
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
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Dental Assistant salary in Mississippi: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Mississippi?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Mississippi was $39,160 ($18.83 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $36,240 and $47,450. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $30,650 and the top 10% earned over $58,620.
Do dental assistants in Mississippi earn more than the national median?
No. The Mississippi median of $39,160 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $8,910 (19%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Mississippi metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 4 Mississippi metro areas with published BLS data, Memphis has the highest median at $48,200 a year. Hattiesburg has the lowest, at $38,190.
How many dental assistants work in Mississippi?
BLS estimates 3,080 dental assistants were employed in Mississippi in May 2025. That is 2.65 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.06, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Mississippi?
Mississippi's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 24.3% over 2024–2034, from 2,740 to 3,400 jobs. That works out to about 460 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Mississippi?
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Other roles in Mississippi
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Mississippi long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants