How to Become a Dental Assistant in Mississippi (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Mississippi employs about 3,080 dental assistants earning a median $39,160 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through MS State Board of Dental Examiners.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Mississippi

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
157.7$4,095 in-state / $7,445 out-of-state$42,02248%Yes*58 mi
256.6$4,470 in-state / $7,710 out-of-state$43,16334%Yes*142 mi
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353.6$4,250 in-state / $7,300 out-of-state$40,04243%Yes*65 mi
452.2$3,700 in-state / $6,100 out-of-state$43,60337%Yes*133 mi
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550.6$4,078 in-state / $6,478 out-of-state$50,81034%Yes*52 mi
647.6$3,740$42,36845%Yes*131 mi
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744.4Contact school for pricing$36,02571%—154 mi
844.0Contact school for pricing$34,50165%—155 mi
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941.8$3,540$37,96031%Yes*75 mi
1038.3$5,040 in-state / $8,910 out-of-state$44,50627%Yes*158 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

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 licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Mississippi

How to become a Dental Assistant in Mississippi? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through MS State Board of Dental Examiners.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and MS State Board of Dental Examiners.

Do I need a license in Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi credentials this role through MS State Board of Dental Examiners 3. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Mississippi

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Mississippi dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with MS State Board of Dental Examiners.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Mississippi. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with MS State Board of Dental Examiners.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Mississippi

Dental assistants in Mississippi typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit MS State Board of Dental Examiners requires. See MS State Board of Dental Examiners 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to MS State Board of Dental Examiners when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with MS State Board of Dental Examiners before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Mississippi vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Memphis1,200$48,200$49,340$36,940$61,790
Jackson790$46,910$45,640$34,240$59,610
Gulfport-Biloxi450$45,020$44,140$34,110$59,760
Hattiesburg260$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 .

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Mississippi

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. MS State Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.dentalboard.ms.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)