How to Become A Dental Assistant in Mississippi
Mississippi employs approximately 3,080 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,160 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in Mississippi, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Mississippi
How do I become a dental assistant in Mississippi? Mississippi requires credentials such as Dental Hygienists, Dental Specialist. The licensing authority is the MS State Board of Dental Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The MS State Board of Dental Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Mississippi? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Mississippi is $39,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,650 and experienced professionals can earn $58,620 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: MS State Board of Dental Examiners
- Median wage (Mississippi): $39,160 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Mississippi
The MS State Board of Dental Examiners oversees dental assistant licensing in Mississippi 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | § 73-9-24–ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE FOR QUALIFYING FOR LICENSE BASED ON CREDENTIALS (1) In addition to the method for obtaining a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene by way of examinatio… |
| Dental Specialist | § 73-9-24–ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE FOR QUALIFYING FOR LICENSE BASED ON CREDENTIALS (1) In addition to the method for obtaining a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene by way of examinati… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Mississippi vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 1,200 | $48,200 | $49,340 | $36,940 | $61,790 |
| Jackson | 790 | $46,910 | $45,640 | $34,240 | $59,610 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 450 | $45,020 | $44,140 | $34,110 | $59,760 |
| Hattiesburg | 260 | $38,190 | $41,240 | $29,430 | $57,870 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Mississippi
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Mississippi according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 790 | $46,910 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 450 | $45,020 |
| Hattiesburg | 260 | $38,190 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 3,080 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a dental assistant in Mississippi with an out-of-state license? Contact the MS State Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Mississippi? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Mississippi.
How much do dental assistants earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Mississippi is $39,160, which is $8,140 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MS State Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.dentalboard.ms.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |