How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in Mississippi?
Mississippi is one of America’s smaller states, in terms of both population and square mileage. In communities across the state, reliable dental care plays an important role in public health. Along with the dentists they work for, dental assistants help ensure this care is available.
The job market for Mississippi dental assistants is steady. In the decade between 2016 and 2026, the state will increase the number of assistant positions by just 1 percent. However, through job turnover, about 240 openings for current positions must be filled in the typical year.
Mississippi ranks on the low side when it comes to dental assistant salaries. The state average of $32,770 sits well below than the typical level for the U.S. as a whole. However, the best-paid assistants working in the state can expect to make about $13,000 more annually.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Mississippi | 2016 | 2,200 | 2026 | 2,220 | 20 | .9% | 240 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Mississippi | 2,230 | $15.76 | $32,770 | $23,040 | $26,620 | $31,100 | $38,570 | $45,820 |
Dental assistants working in two metro regions – Jackson and greater Memphis – have substantially higher average salaries than assistants working elsewhere. The lowest average salary is found in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula region.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 330 | $14.92 | $31,030 | $21,890 | $24,180 | $28,540 | $36,680 | $42,300 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 200 | $15.70 | $32,650 | $23,350 | $26,220 | $30,950 | $38,330 | $43,120 |
| Jackson, MS | 390 | $17.90 | $37,230 | $25,870 | $30,510 | $36,520 | $44,670 | $50,170 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 1340 | $17.84 | $37,110 | $23,500 | $28,020 | $34,760 | $45,420 | $57,040 |
Mississippi dental assistants make roughly the same income as the state’s pharmacy assistants. Medical and nursing assistants make less than dental assistants. Physical therapist assistants make more.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 3450 | $15.72 | $32,700 | $23,040 | $26,480 | $30,620 | $36,950 | $43,410 |
| Nursing Assistants | 13600 | $11.53 | $23,980 | $17,970 | $20,350 | $23,100 | $26,510 | $31,060 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 810 | $23.22 | $48,290 | $20,920 | $31,920 | $50,410 | $62,550 | $74,360 |
| Dental Assistants | 2230 | $15.76 | $32,770 | $23,040 | $26,620 | $31,100 | $38,570 | $45,820 |
| Medical Assistants | 3590 | $14.75 | $30,690 | $22,140 | $25,730 | $29,460 | $33,900 | $39,480 |