Dental Assistant Salary in Ridgeland, MS: $40,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Ridgeland, MS earns a median $40,795/year (≈ $19.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Ridgeland's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $47,602 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ridgeland, Mississippi, the 2026 median annual salary for dental assistants is projected at $40,795, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $49,579. The local salary range spans from $33,385 at the lower end (P10) to $48,386 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, illustrate the competitive nature of the dental assistant job market in this area. Specialties like oral surgery and orthodontics can command higher salaries, making those roles particularly attractive for aspiring dental assistants looking to enhance their earning potential in Ridgeland.
About the Ridgeland Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,385 | $16.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,034 | $19.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,795 | $19.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,274 | $22.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,386 | $23.26 |
Median Salary Position
17.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ridgeland
In Ridgeland, MS, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,001 (2026 est.). At $40,795, the local median is 17.72% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ridgeland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ridgeland Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Ridgeland median: $40,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ridgeland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $42,495 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -17.72% less |
Dental Assistants in Ridgeland, MS earn a median of $40,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.72% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.00% below the Mississippi state average of $42,495.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ridgeland 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.
Ridgeland, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $40,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,602 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,979
2025 BLS Actual
$39,553
2026 Current Est.
$40,795
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Ridgeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,979 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,879 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,294 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,976 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,076 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ridgeland metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $32,979 (2019) to $39,553 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,076 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,097 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ridgeland 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) | $33,385 – $40,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,034 – $40,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,795 – $47,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,274 – $48,386 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Ridgeland
Currently employing five dental assistants, Ridgeland's job market provides a stable footing for these professionals, though the local cost of living index of 85.7 indicates that wages may stretch further here than in higher-cost areas. General dental practices and specialty offices, such as pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, will often have varying pay scales that reflect the intricacies of patient care and practice management. Factors that influence salary differences include the potential for advanced roles such as treatment coordinators or EFDA credentialing, which can boost earning capacity by 25-40%. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Ridgeland, pursuing additional qualifications, such as the DANB certification, and exploring opportunities within DSO chains could lead to greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Ridgeland, 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 $39,553 for dental assistantsin the Ridgeland 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 Ridgeland 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