Dental Assistant Salary in Brandon, MS: $40,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Brandon, MS earns a median $40,495/year (≈ $19.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Brandon's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $47,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Brandon, Mississippi, is projected to be around $40,495 annually, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $49,579. Local estimates from BLS state-level data indicate that salaries for dental assistants in the area fall within a range from $32,729 at the 10th percentile to $51,976 at the 90th percentile. This figures into the broader employment context where the job market in Brandon consists of only six dental assistants. The competitive dynamics of the local hiring ecosystem are shaped by a mix of employment types, including both dental support organizations (DSOs) and private practices. The choice between the standardized pay offered by larger chains like Heartland and Aspen or the potentially more flexible compensation packages from smaller offices is a key consideration for job seekers in this market.
About the Brandon Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,729 | $15.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,102 | $18.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,495 | $19.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,048 | $23.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,976 | $24.99 |
Median Salary Position
18.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brandon
In Brandon, MS, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,247 (2026 est.). At $40,495, the local median is 18.32% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brandon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brandon Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Brandon median: $40,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brandon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $42,492 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -18.32% less |
Dental Assistants in Brandon, MS earn a median of $40,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.32% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.70% below the Mississippi state average of $42,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brandon has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brandon, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $40,495 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,252 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,736
2025 BLS Actual
$39,262
2026 Current Est.
$40,495
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Brandon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,634 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,012 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,262 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,766 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brandon metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $32,736 (2019) to $39,262 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,766 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,030 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brandon metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $32,729 – $38,102 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,102 – $40,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,495 – $49,048 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,048 – $51,976 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Brandon
Considering the cost of living in Brandon, which sits at a lower index of 85.7, dental assistants may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher cost areas. The main employers in the region typically consist of general dental practices and specialty offices, with opportunities in pediatric, orthodontic, and oral surgery settings often yielding higher salaries. The variance in pay is influenced by several factors, including the type of practice, whether the assistant holds an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credential, or if they take on roles that combine responsibilities, such as a treatment coordinator. To maximize earnings in Brandon, dental assistants should prioritize obtaining certifications like those from DANB and ADAA, as well as seeking out positions that offer mentorship stipends or additional responsibilities that enhance their earning potential. Understanding the evolving structure of DSO pay scales versus solo practice environments is essential for career advancement in this local context.
More salary data for Brandon, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,262 for dental assistantsin the Brandon metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brandon is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov