SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — Lower West Mississippi
Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
In Lower West Mississippi, MS the median wage is $37,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lower West Mississippi, MS the median wage is $37,320. That is 22.4% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay ranges from under $30,010 at the tenth percentile to more than $45,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $35,520 to $37,470.
Employment stands at 230, or 2.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Jackson records the highest median at $46,910. Of the 280 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 188th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,010 | −37.6% |
| 25th | $35,520 | −26.1% |
| Median (50th) | $37,320 | −22.4% |
| 75th | $37,470 | −22.1% |
| 90th | $45,760 | −4.8% |
| Mean | $37,230 | −22.6% |
Other metro areas in Mississippi
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $46,910 | 790 | |
| 2 | Gulfport | $45,020 | 450 | |
| 3 | Hattiesburg | $38,190 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lower West Mississippi run 13.0% below the national average, so the median of $37,320 goes as far as $42,897 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,897US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,320 a year, 22.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,010 to $45,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 230 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Jackson, at $46,910.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in Lower West Mississippi, MS?
The median annual wage is $37,320, or $17.94 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,070, so pay in Lower West Mississippi, MS is 22.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lower West Mississippi, MS earns more than $45,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,010 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Jackson, at $46,910 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 230 jobs in this occupation in Lower West Mississippi, MS. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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