Dental Assistant in Mississippi

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MS. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$37,130

trending_down -21.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Mississippi.

engineering

2,690

Jobs (MS)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$295

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Mississippi

In Mississippi, dental assistants are not required to be licensed for general duties. However, a radiology permit is mandatory to perform dental radiography, issued by the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners. To obtain this permit, individuals must complete a board-approved radiography course, or graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, or hold a current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. The DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam is typically part of the approved pathways. There is no direct reciprocity for dental assistant permits in Mississippi, but national certifications and accredited education can be used to meet permit requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $28,170

25th percentile $35,000

50th (median) $37,130

75th percentile $46,160

90th (experienced) $55,480

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Mississippi. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Mississippi requirements

Licensing body	Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners
State license	Not required
Education	Board-approved course for radiography, OR graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, OR current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification.
Exam	DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam ($270)
Application fee	$25
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Notes	Mississippi does not license dental assistants for general duties. A permit is required to perform dental radiography. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to take the DANB RHS exam. CPR certification is required for dental assistants involved in direct patient care. Background checks may be part of the DANB exam application process.

Source: Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+6.4%

Faster than average

Annual openings

52,900

Nationwide per year

Total employment

381,900

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.53/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a dental assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a dental assistant in Mississippi? expand_more

Mississippi requires dental assistants to complete the required education (Board-approved course for radiography, OR graduation from a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, OR current DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification.), pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, and submit your application ($25 fee).

Can I work as a dental assistant in Mississippi without a license? expand_more

dental assistants in Mississippi are not required to hold a state license. Note: Mississippi does not license dental assistants for general duties. A permit is required to perform dental radiography. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to take the DANB RHS exam. CPR certification is required for dental assistants involved in direct patient care. Background checks may be part of the DANB exam application process.

How much does a dental assistant make in Mississippi? expand_more

The median dental assistant salary in Mississippi is $37,130 per year. — 22% under the $47,300 national average. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $28,170, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $55,480.

What are the fees to become a dental assistant in Mississippi? expand_more

Between exam fee ($270) and application fee ($25), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

What's the timeline to become a dental assistant in Mississippi? expand_more

In Mississippi, becoming a dental assistant generally takes Varies, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.