Dental Assistant Salary in Madison, MS: $41,909 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Madison, MS earns a median $41,909/year (≈ $20.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Madison's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $48,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Madison, MS, is projected to reach a median annual compensation of $41,909. This figure reflects a remarkable local context where expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) can command higher pay than standard dental assistant rates due to their added skill set, enhancing job responsibilities in the state. Salary projections range from $31,705 at the 10th percentile to $51,034 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a lucrative potential for those with advanced training. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities, presenting a snapshot of Madison’s job market that is both compelling and competitive.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,705 | $15.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,253 | $19.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,909 | $20.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,081 | $23.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,034 | $24.54 |
Median Salary Position
15.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, MS, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,329 (2026 est.). At $41,909, the local median is 15.47% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be above the median
How Madison Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Madison median: $41,909/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $42,504 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -15.47% less |
Dental Assistants in Madison, MS earn a median of $41,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.47% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.40% below the Mississippi state average of $42,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison 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.
Madison, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $41,909 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,902 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,879
2025 BLS Actual
$40,633
2026 Current Est.
$41,909
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,679 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,886 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,633 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,909 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,225 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $33,879 (2019) to $40,633 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,225 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,346 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $31,705 – $40,253 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,253 – $41,909 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,909 – $49,081 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,081 – $51,034 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Madison
Currently, there are only five dental assistants employed in Madison, indicating a small but focused local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, living expenses are lower than the national average, allowing for potentially more purchasing power among local dental assistants. Among the various types of employers in the area, general dental practices and specialty clinics often differentiate in pay. Those in specialized roles, such as orthodontics or oral surgery, typically earn greater salaries compared to general dentistry due to the complexities involved. The disparity in salaries often stems from factors like credentialing as an EFDA, hybrid roles that combine treatment coordination with traditional assistance, and the influence of corporate DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, which tend to have standardized pay scales. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring dental assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles that involve specialized care, or exploring opportunities within DSO networks that offer structured career paths and advancement.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $40,633 for dental assistantsin the Madison 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 Madison 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