How to become a Dental Assistant in Mississippi
It is a great time to pursue a career as a dental assistant in Mississippi (MS) given the strong jobs growth in the sector. The Bureau for Labor Statistics has predicted that the number of dental assisting jobs in the USA will grow by a massive 19% between 2016 and 2026.
In order to become a dental assistant in the USA most states will require you to graduate from an accredited program and to pass additional state level or national certification exams. Find out more about becoming a Dental Assistant in Mississippi below.
Accredited Dental Assistant Schools Mississippi
| School | Area | Accrediting Body | Next Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl River Community College | Hattiesburg | CODA | 2022 |
| Hinds Community College | Jackson | CODA | 2025 |
| Meridian Community College | Meridian | CODA | 2020 |
Listed above are 3 of the top CODA accredited programs in Mississippi.
For more entry level and post secondary Dental Assisting options you can also view all DANB accredited programs.
Click on the ‘Request Information’ link for each school and enter your details to receive information on their dentistry programs and admissions data.
You can also view results for schools offering Dental Assisting programs in Mississippi and surrounding states on the map below.
View programs in nearby states:
Dental assistant schools Arkansas
Mississippi Dental Assistant License Requirements
Once you have graduated from an accredited program it is required by Mississippi law that you obtain a license to work as a dental assistant there. The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners governs the licensing of dental assistants in Mississippi. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
Phone: (601) 944-9622
Website: http://www.dentalboard.ms.gov/msbde/msbde.nsf
Dental Assistant Salary in Mississippi
| State | Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Average Salary | $33,360 |
| Hourly Wage | $16.04 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $45,780 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $22,950 |
| #'s Employed | 2,240 |
The average Dental Assistant salary in Mississippi is $33,360 – 11.3% below the national average.
This represents an hourly wage of $16.04.
There are currently 2,240 persons employed as dental assistants in the state.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental assistants across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Mississippi;
| Area | Salary | Hourly Wage | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | $35,090 | $16.87 | 270 |
| Jackson, MS | $35,900 | $17.26 | 580 |
| Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $32,600 | $15.68 | 390 |
| Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $37,110 | $17.84 | 190 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $29,420 | $14.15 | 220 |
| Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $30,790 | $14.80 | 120 |
| Southeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $28,710 | $13.81 | 280 |
*Updated May 2018 to allow for the most recent BLS data released in March 2018.
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Mississippi
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment for dental assistants with related healthcare careers in Mississippi;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistants | 2,170 | $30,830 |
| Dental Hygienists | 1,080 | $55,110 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 610 | $61,890 |
| Medical Assistants | 2,340 | $28,830 |
| Nursing Assistants | 13,750 | $21,290 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 3,330 | $28,520 |
| Phlebotomists | 810 | $26,330 |
| Surgical Technologists | 1,220 | $38,070 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 480 | $32,020 |